A pastor from the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) in Glenview appeared at the Mbare Magistrates Court on Friday, facing charges of indecent assault after allegedly caressing a female congregant on church premises.
Tawanda Murombedzi, represented by his lawyer Brian Kashangura, pleaded not guilty to the charge before magistrate Batiraishe Zishiri.
The prosecution alleges that the incident occurred at the church shortly after a service had concluded.
The complainant, a member of the congregation, reported the matter to the police, leading to Murombedzi’s arrest.
In his defence, Murombedzi denied the allegations, stating the complainant was lying for reasons “known to herself.”
He argued that her actions following the alleged assault were inconsistent with those of a victim.
“The church caretaker entered the building to check who was inside,” Murombedzi stated.
“The complainant did not take that opportunity to flee, seek help, or make any complaint.”
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He argued that other church members were present at the time, providing the complainant with a reasonable opportunity to escape or call for assistance, given that her home was approximately 800 metres away.
He argued that her failure to do so cast serious doubt on her account.
Murombedzi also noted that after cleaning the church, he escorted the complainant home in a “normal and calm manner,” which he argued was not the conduct of someone who had just committed an assault.
He suggested the allegations might be motivated by the complainant’s recent exclusion from attending a Sunday school camp.
Zishiri postponed the matter to February 9 for the continuation of the trial.
