The Sunday News
Harare Bureau
INCARCERATED RMG End Time Message leader, Robert Martin Gumbura, says the courts should impose stiff penalties on rapists to protect women, and has also appealed to authorities to allow prisoners to enjoy conjugal rights.He also revealed his intention to marry more women to add to the 11 wives he already has once he is released, saying “I love women and they love me”.
Gumbura, who is serving a 40-year jail term at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison after being convicted on four counts of rape early this year, made the remarks in an interview with our Harare Bureau at the correctional facility on Thursday.
He said rape was a moral sin that violated women’s rights.
Gumbura also maintained his innocence and accused the media of whipping up national emotions during his rape trial, leading to his eventual conviction.
The father of 32, who was mostly jovial throughout the interview, said all his sexual contact with the complainants was consensual.
“Stiffer sentences should be imposed on rapists to deter would-be rapists as it is morally wrong to violate women’s rights,” he said.
Gumbura said being separated from his wives constituted “torture” and vowed to ensure inmates are allowed to be intimate with their spouses.
“It’s torture here; it feels terrible. I really miss it (intimacy),” he said.
“For all the time of my incarceration, I have observed many issues bedevilling the country’s prison rehabilitation system. I think the issue regarding prisoners’ conjugal rights is one of them.
“I am human and it’s very natural. So, as soon as I come out, I will become a fiery advocate of such rights!”
Gumbura was arrested in October 2013 and a whirlwind trial captivated the nation for over three months.
Initially, he faced nine counts of raping six women, and one of possessing pornographic material. He was cleared of four counts relating to three other women for lack of evidence but was convicted on four counts involving three women and also for possessing pornographic material.
Gumbura has another ongoing case in which he is accused of raping a congregant with the assistance of his secretary, Tendai Ganyani.
