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	Zimbabwe Jails Anglican Church Pastor for 10 Years The Zimdiaspora December 12, 2011 www.zimdiaspora.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7216:zimbabwe-jails-anglican-church-pastors-for-10-years&catid=38:travel-tips&Itemid=18 ZIMBABWE has jailed an Anglican pastor for 10 years, it has been reported. Pastor Thomas Muchadeyi (44), was convicted of raping a 13-year-old girl from the same church despite his protest of innocence. Of late Zimbabwe had launched an onslaught on Anglican church leaders in the country precisely because of the church's British origins and solid connection. Pastor Muchadeyi denied the charges saying that the girl's father concocted the charges - but still was found guilty. Regional magistrate Mr Simon Kachambwa sentenced him to 14 years, but four were set aside for five years on condition of good behaviour. Pastor Muchadeyi was in a jovial mood despite the sentence and bade his family members and church mates farewell, insisting there was no need to be miserable as he was innocent. In his judgment, Mr Kachambwa castigated the priest's conduct, calling it inhuman. "The case was never shaken and all the essential elements of the offence were proved beyond a reasonable doubt, pointing the accused as a perpetrator. Accordingly a verdict of guilty is attained," he said Mr Kachambwa condemned Anglican church superiors for supporting the priest by writing a letter to the court supporting false and misleading alibi. "In my view, it was all intended to promote and baptise evil, what a shameful act by the church," he said. Prosecutor Mrs Valery Ngoma proved that sometime in December 2006, the girl and her brother went to Muchadeyi's house for holiday after their mother died. Muchadeyi was alone in the house one of the days and called the girl in. He took her to a bedroom where he lowered his trousers, undressed the girl and raped her. Muchadeyi raped the girl in same bedroom the following day. It was reported that the 13-year-old went back home, but became ill when she went back to boarding school and could not control her bladder. A nurse advised the headmaster that the symptoms were that of sexual abuse. Reports say the headmaster quizzed the girl and she revealed that she was raped by Muchadeyi.
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