Shakahola cult leader Paul Mackenzie is set to face murder charges on Wednesday alongside 94 other suspects accused of forcing more than 400 people to fast to death in the vast Shakahola forest.
Mackenzie is the leader of the Good News International Church, was preaching to its members that fasting to death is a sure way of meeting Jesus has been in custody since last year when they were first arrested, leading to the exhumation of the bodies from shallow graves.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Renson Ingonga said on Tuesday that Mackenzie and his co-conspirators will be charged with murder, assault, terrorism and facilitating the commission of a terrorist act.
Mackenzie, whose case has dragged on for close to a year will also be charged with child torture.
“Upon thorough analysis of the evidence, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is satisfied that there is sufficient evidence to prosecute ninety-five (95) suspects,” he said.
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Mackenzie is already serving time in jail for distributing films without a license.
The DPP directed that the suspects be presented before the High Court and Subordinate Court.
In regards to the Murder charges, the DPP said Mackenzie and other suspects contravened Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code.
Under the Offences under Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2012 and the Prevention of Organized Crimes Act, 2010, Mackenzie is accused of engaging in organized criminal activity contrary to Section 4(1) as read with Section 3(n) and Section 4(2) of the Prevention of Organized Crimes Act, 2010.
The suspects are also accused of having an article connected with an offence under the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2012 contrary to Section 30 of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2012.
Other listed offenses include Infringing a child’s right to education contrary to Section 30(1)(2) as read with Section 30(3) of the Basic Education Act, 2013.
The DPP pledged to fast-track the prosecution of the matter to bring the perpetrators to justice.
