The trial of the cult leader, Madzbaba Ismail Chukurungirwa and his seven accomplices is expected to begin today.
The eight were denied bail last month when they appeared before Norton Magistrate Christine Nyandoro.
They have since approached the Supreme Court seeking bail.
The case is before Judge Rodgers Manyangadze, who is also expected to make his decision.
The Magistrate Court refused to release them on bail on the grounds that their release would likely spark public anger given the nature of the allegations they face.
Madzbaba Ismail and his accomplices are accused of contravening Section 3 (1) and (2) of the Burial and Cremation Act 5:03 and Section 7 (1) and (5) of the Children Act 5:06.
The co-accused are Takafenjwa Gwenzi (55), Siribinyo Chikunyere (53), Wonder Kabaya (41), Devlodge Katsande (47), Zebediah Cejudo (49), Aaron Chukurungirwa (47) and Shinjirai Ngavaphum (42).
Sometime in November 2023, the prosecution said, Madzbaba Ismail and his accomplices buried Hazel Chikunhere and Winlet Kabaya, without issuing burial orders, in violation of the law.
Since 2019, Madzbaba Ismail and others have also been accused of neglecting, abandoning and exposing their children to various diseases, causing unnecessary suffering to the children, whose health has been severely affected. h metro
