Tinotenda Hove – A Beitbridge church leader has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after a woman died following a violent “deliverance” session in which she and her husband were allegedly chained, beaten and subjected to a series of rituals intended to drive out supposed evil spirits.

Bishop Gomori of the Damasko Zion Christian Church was convicted of murder and sentenced by Bulawayo High Court Judge Justice Ngoni Nduna on Monday.
Delivering judgment, Justice Nduna dismissed claims that the assault formed part of accepted church practices.

“The accused’s argument that congregants consented to being beaten as part of a deliverance process is not a lawful defence. Such practices are outdated, unacceptable and have no place in society,” the judge said.

Prosecutors urged the court to impose a sentence that would discourage similar conduct by other religious leaders.

Chief Director of Prosecutions Justin Uladi told the court that the victim lost her life while being subjected to what he described as an inhumane and obsolete religious practice.

“A life was lost unnecessarily while following an archaic and inhumane church practice,” said Uladi.
“A custodial sentence should be imposed because anything less would undermine the seriousness of the offence.”

He added that the victim was humiliated before her death.
“The deceased died without dignity after being stripped naked and brutally assaulted in the presence of male congregants. The court must send a strong warning that such conduct will not be tolerated.”
The woman’s husband, Fortunate Mukwayi, recounted the events leading up to her death.

“We were praying when Pastor Philip Banga interrupted and instructed church members to restrain us with chains, claiming we were possessed by demons,” he told the court.

“The next day we were taken to the Limpopo River and submerged in water as part of an exorcism ritual. After returning to the church, we were locked in a room.”

He said Bishop Gomori later entered and began whipping them.
“He continued beating us until we lost consciousness. My wife never recovered.”

According to the prosecution, the incident occurred on 6 March 2023 after the couple attended a church gathering.

Uladi said two men seized the pair and chained them inside a room, where they remained throughout the night.

The following morning, they were taken to the Limpopo River for a baptism and exorcism ceremony before being returned to the church premises.

Once back at the church, Gomori allegedly assaulted both victims with a leather whip. During the attack, the woman was stripped and repeatedly beaten, while her husband was also subjected to severe assault.
The court heard that both victims eventually lost consciousness. Gomori allegedly left the church and went home, leaving them unattended.

A church member later discovered the woman unresponsive and alerted authorities. Police launched an investigation that resulted in Gomori’s arrest and subsequent prosecution.