A 36-year-old bishop of the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) in Beitbridge, Zimbabwe, has been convicted of whipping a congregant to death during a contentious “healing” session.
The bishop, Crispen Gomori, was found guilty after a church service turned tragic, killing a woman and severely injuring her husband.
The tragedy occurred on March 6, 2023, when the victims, a married couple, went to the ZCC shrine in Beitbridge for spiritual healing.
Upon their arrival, Gomori accused them of having mental illnesses and subjected them to harsh “treatment.” He directed the other members to tie the couple to a tree on the church grounds.
The couple remained tied up until Gomori began the alleged therapeutic session at 8 p.m. He flogged them repeatedly with a leather whip over the course of many hours. The woman died from her injuries about 4 a.m. Gomori departed the scene after discovering the woman had perished, leaving her husband in severe condition.
Authorities were contacted, and a police report was made, resulting in Gomori’s arrest. The male victim was transferred to Beitbridge District Hospital for treatment, while the woman’s body was transported there for a post-mortem examination.
During the court proceedings, Beitbridge resident magistrate Takudzwa Gwazemba presided over the case, while prosecutor Tawanda Chigavazira presented evidence emphasizing the gravity of the attack. Gomori defended himself, claiming that the couple had agreed to the flogging as part of their religious beliefs.
However, the court found that the severity of the beating was much above allowable bounds. Gomori admitted to giving the male victim seven strokes, claiming it was a sort of spiritual therapy. Despite his defense, the court convicted him of causing the woman’s death and brutally injuring her husband.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli