In an interesting development, RMG Independent End Time Message leader Robert Martin Gumbura on Wednesday had his rape sentence reduced.
Gumbura will effectively serve 20 years.
His lawyers were however not satisfied and said that they will now approach the Supreme Court to have their client’s jail sentence on four counts of rape reduced further.
Gumbura (63) was jailed effective 40 years following his conviction on four counts of rape and one count of illegally possessing pornographic material in 2014 but argued on appeal that the imprisonment term was patently disproportionate.
The High Court sitting as an Appeals Court agreed to reduce the sentence by half, finding that the trial court decision was a bit outrageous and unjust.
Gumbura’s legal team which comprises of Professor Lovemore Madhuku and Advocate Sylvester Hashiti wanted the court to reduce the jail term to 10 years on each count of rape and the counts to run concurrently so that Gumbura would serve 10 years, which he has already served in terms of the law.
Justice Felistus Chatukuta sitting with Justice Pisirayi Kwenda after hearing submissions from both the defence and prosecution counsel reduced the sentence to 25 years, of which five years were suspended on condition of good behaviour.
This now leaves Gumbura with a 20-year jail term, with half of that sentence already served taking into account one-third remission.
The reduction signals a change in fortunes for Gumbura whose first freedom bid hit a brick wall three years ago when the same court threw out his appeal.
The then High Court Judge Justice Charles Hungwe and Justice Edith Mushore, sitting as an Appeals Court, confirmed Gumbura’s conviction, saying the church leader was indeed a danger to society and deserved to be listed in the Register of Sex Offenders, if there was any, as a way of protecting children and women from abuse.
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