The ManicaPost
A PASTOR with the United Methodist Church in Rusape, who was last week caught while allegedly attempting to rape a teenager congregant, has been arrested and arraigned before the court to answer the embarrassing allegations.
Emmanuel Rambeni (30), who is stationed at the church’s Magura Circuit in Chiendambuya, on Tuesday, appeared before Rusape provincial magistrate Mr Shane Kubonera facing one count of attempting to rape an 18-year-old girl in the bush.
Rambeni, who is not married, was remanded in custody.
He appeared in court as a self-actor and entered a plea of not guilty to the charge.
Prosecutor Mr Gift Mutigwa told the court that Rambeni offered the victim a lift from church service and allegedly demanded intimacy with her along the way.
The girls allegedly refused.
This, he said, allegedly prompted the accused to attempt to impose his will on her.
“Emmanuel Rambeni is a pastor of the United Methodist Church in Chiendambuya. The complainant is 18 years old and is a student at a local school. The two are church mates.
“On August 4, 2018, around 1900hrs Rambeni was coming from a church service in the company of the complainant. He had offered the complainant a lift. The accused parked his vehicle at the church and accompanied the complainant to her homestead.
“Rambeni then demanded sex from the complainant and she denied.
‘‘He then dragged the complainant to a bushy area where he grabbed and fondled her. Rambeni attempted to force himself on the complainant, but she overpowered him and managed to escape.
“The offence was discovered by the complainant’s uncle who was walking along a footpath near the crime scene. The uncle then apprehended Rambeni and force-marched him to the complainant’s homestead where he advised the victim’s guardian. The complainant then reported the matter to the police leading to the arrest of Rambeni,” said Mr Mutigwa.
Mr Kubonera postponed the matter to August 16, 2018 for continuation of trial.
