The ManicaPost
Samuel Kadungure : Court Reporter
HOLY Cross Church leader, Bishop Livingstone Tonderai Nerwande, is back in the dock today (Friday) as magistrate, Mr Shingi Mutiro, is expected to deliver his verdict in a matter the cleric is facing six counts of indecent assault.
Nerwande (77) allegedly abused three female orphans at his Rekayi Tangwena Children’s Home in Nyanga between February 2015 and January 2016.
The complainants are aged 14, 16 and 17.
Nerwande pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Mr Mutiro last Friday asked for closing written arguments from defence lawyer, Mr Maxwell Chiwanza and prosecutor, Mr Tafara Chawatama after nearly seven months of a gripping trial that captured the attention of the cleric’s followers.
Mr Chiwanza argued that the complainants were manipulated by a caregiver at the orphanage into laying false charges against the cleric.
Mr Chawatama counter-argued that saying Nerwande on six occasions allegedly fondled the complainant’s breasts and private parts without their consent.
The man of the cloth is also said to have licked the victims’ ears under the guise of prayer and counselling.
Nerwande would allegedly call the victims to his office, where under the guise of laying hands as they knelt before him, he would run down his hands and tongue on the complainant’s private parts and ears, respectively.
Though female caregivers at the orphanage noticed behavioural deviation in the complainants and were told of Nerwande’s illegal shenanigans, they remained tight lipped.
The abuse was later exposed to the Department of Child Welfare and Probation Services in Nyanga and a police reported was made leading to the cleric’s arrest.
One of the complainants is an orphan with an artificial leg and crippled right arm.
“On an unknown date, but during the month of April 2015, the girl proceeded to the accused person’s place of residence to show him her school report as was the norm. During prayer, Nerwande touched the complainant’s shoulders, fondled her breasts and inserted his hands into the girl’s skirt and caressed her private parts without her consent. Nerwande allegedly threatened the complainant with dismissal if ever she disclosed what had happened to anyone.
“In August and November 2015, Nerwande repeated the same method in abusing the girl again,” said Chawatama.
Nerwande is alleged to have repeated the same offence on January 14.
“Nerwande told Charity Nyarukoko that he wanted to do some counselling sessions with individual children at the home. He invited the 14-year-old complainant. As he was praying for the girl he caressed her shoulders, waist and licked her ears without her consent. Nerwande indicated to the complainant that it was his prayer ritual,” said Mr Chawatama.
