By A Correspondent- A Johanne Marange Apostolic sect member Hatirarami Momberume (26) who is facing charges of murder and having sexual intercourse with a minor has been remanded in custody to 17 September.

Momberume, who is being represented by Brian Majamanda of Khuphe and Chijara Law Associates, appeared in prison garbs before Magistrate Prisca Manhibi on Friday and was not asked to plead.

On 20 August, he appeared before regional Magistrate Lucy-Anne Mungwari who remanded him in custody to 3 September.

The state, represented by Tirivanhu Mutyasira and Jonathan Chingwinyiso, alleged that Momberume had sexual intercourse with a minor.

The state further alleged on an unknown date in 2020, the accused fell in love with the now-deceased Anna Machaya, knowing she was born on 5 July 2006. The prosecutors said:

On a date unknown but in April 2021, Anna Machaya eloped to the accused and they started staying together purportedly as husband and wife.

During the period extending 2020 to 15 July 2021, the accused had sexual intercourse with Anna Machaya leading to Anna falling pregnant and gave birth to a baby on 15 July 2021 at Johanne Marange Apostolic Church shrine.

On the murder count, the state says the accused unlawfully caused the death of Anna Machaya by impregnating her and failing to take her to receive healthcare services during her labour. Said Mutyasira:

Instead, the accused person took Annah Machaya to Johanne Marange traditional midwives where she delivered and died after some labour complications.

He thereafter secretly buried her without notifying the authorities of her death.