CHITUNGWIZA spiritual healer Godfrey Nzira facing nine counts of rape and another charge of assault, will face trial at the Harare magistrate's court today.
Nzira, the leader of the Johane Masowe Chishanu Church, was supposed to plead to the charges yesterday but his lawyer, Mr Wilson Manase of Manase and Manase, applied for more time to prepare for the case. The trial was initially set down at Chitungwiza Court but was referred to Harare for security reasons.
The spiritual healer yesterday arrived at the Rotten Row magistrates' court in his Mercedes Benz vehicle and was immediately whisked into the courtroom by his bodyguards who blocked photographers from taking pictures. A group of his followers, mainly women, who attended the hearing, jostled for seats in the small courtroom where the matter was heard.
Mr Manase had in his application for postponement told the court that he had only been served with State papers last week and needed more time to go through them.
However, Prosecutor Mrs Vivian Mandizvidza, opposed the application arguing that it was a ploy to delay the proceedings.
While only granting a one-day postponement, the magistrate, Mrs Betty Makazhe, said she would not tolerate any more delay by Nzira. She said if he continued playing tricks the court would be forced to remand him in custody.
Charges against Nzira arose early this year when he allegedly raped two women who had sought spiritual healing from him. He is also alleged to have severely assaulted a policewoman, also a member of his church.