SOME police, court officials and prison wardens were yesterday assaulted and ran for dear life as pandemonium broke out at the Harare Magistrates' Courts soon after the conviction of prominent Chitungwiza spiritual healer Madzibaba Godfrey Nzira of seven counts of rape and one count of indecent assault.
This is the first time such violence has happened at the Harare Magistrates' Courts.
Nzira's followers first shouted obscene words and turned violent, brutally assaulting a number of court officials. They defied warning shots by prison wardens and armed with their bare hands, they charged at the officials and temporarily held them hostage in the court building demanding as ransom the release of Nzira.
Court interpreter Ms Sithembile Zvanyanya was floored by a blow and kicked several times while magistrate Ms Sukai Tongogara had her shoes snatched by the marauding followers who even blocked the prison truck carrying Nzira. They later returned Ms Tongogara's shoes.
Police officers and prison wardens were initially overpowered and assaulted at will by the nearly 2 000 followers some of whose womenfolk removed clothes, bared themselves and rolled in the dust in protest.
They threw missiles to the court entrance and broke the glass doors. "Why are you taking him and where are you taking him to? Leave him. Mungasunga Mwari imi? (Are you sure you can arrest God). Where are you taking our God?" were some of the questions that were asked as the followers hurled themselves at every suspected "enemy" of their leader.
In the morning, the followers chased a Herald reporter and photographer, accusing them of conniving with court officials.