Zion Christian Church (ZCC)’s Bishop Peter Makamba, who was recently arrested on charges of raping his married maid, was further assaulted by the victim’s husband who got enraged by a local court’s decision to release the clergyman.

Makamba appeared before resident magistrate Richard Chineka but was released in as yet  unclear circumstances.

Police spokesperson Charity Mazula confirmed the arrest of the bishop but said his release by the magistrate “is something beyond the police’s jurisdiction”.

Sources close to the case revealed that Makamba, who is the bishop for ZCC popularly known as “Zion retambo”, allegedly raped the married woman he employed as a maid.

Makamba was picked up by police at his home in Marecha near Negovano Business Centre under Chief Mazungunye and spent the weekend in the police holding cells at Bikita Police Station.

It is alleged that Makamba raped the woman while she was in his employ during dates unknown to the court but which span between 2005 and 2009.

The woman decided to lay charges against him after realising it was possible to get him prosecuted for the violations when she read about disgraced clergy, Robert Martin Gumbura.

Gumbura, the leader of the RMG End Time Messages church, was recently incarcerated for 40 years on charges of raping congregants.

Makamba briefly appeared before Magistrate Chineka and was declared a free man much to the chagrin of his accuser’s husband who later charged towards the bishop and assaulted him, accusing him of bribing the court.

The infuriated husband argued that Makamba was supposed to be released after applying for bail at the High Court.

The bishop has since filed assault charges against his assailant.