The State is worried that the 65 victims being held at the rescue centers are indulging in sexual behavior while waiting to testify against Paul Mackenzie, the purported head of the Shakahola cult.
Assistant DPP Yamina Jamii delivered a warning from the DPP to Shanzu Senior Principal Magistrate Joe Omide that if the victims remained at the rescue facility, the State would face another significant issue of unwanted pregnancies and cases of gender-based violence.
“At this point, the victims have made a full recovery; they are active and, according to reports, have engaged in sexual activity. He added that besides eating and socializing, this is how most of the students at the hostels spend their time.
Jamii petitioned the court to order the transfer of the victims from the shelters to Shimo La Tewa G.K prison, where they would be placed in gender-segregated cells and their whereabouts could be more easily monitored.
After hearing that two of the remaining people have been diagnosed with mental health difficulties, the court has ordered that they be given legal treatment once their families are discovered.
To prevent a problem the state may have to deal with before the victims are turned into witnesses, “we are now seeking for the court to make orders to have all the victims held at the prison,” he said.
Sixty-five victims, who had apparently been recruited by cult leader Paul Mackenzie, were rescued from the Shakahola forest in March.
They had been told to fast in case they had to die quickly to see Jesus.
