THE trial of Madzibaba Godfrey Nzira, the prominent spritual healer accused of raping two of his followers, resumed at the Harare magistrate's court yesterday.
Hundreds of followers of the Johanne Masowe Chishanu church converged at the Rotten Row courts as early as 8 am but were denied entry to the courtroom by court officials.
The disgruntled followers, mainly women with babies, sat outside under the scorching sun patiently waiting to be briefed about the fate of their beloved leader.
Nzira is alleged to have on four different occasions raped the victim who was cross examined by Mr Wilson Manase of Manase and Manase yesterday.
The 30-year-old woman told the court that she could not reveal her ordeal even to her husband because she feared for her marriage.
She said she would make indications to her husband of the alleged rape but would not disclose that she was the victim.
"I respected Nzira because I believed he was inspired by the holy spirit and I did not expect such behaviour from a man of God.
"The other reason was because of the respect Nzira commanded in the church and at the shrine," she said when she was asked why she did not tell anyone.
The woman accused the police of changing her original statement as there were several discrepancies in the statement produced by the State.
Charges against Nzira arose early this year when he allegedly raped the two women who had sought spiritual healing from him.
He is also alleged to have severely assaulted a policewoman.
Regional magistrate Mrs Betty Makazhe presided over the case while Mrs Vivian Mandizvidza prosecuted.
The trial continues.