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Tendai Rupapa Senior Court Reporter
EIGHT new magistrates were yesterday sworn in by the Chief magistrate Mr Mishrod Guvamombe at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts in a development expected to ease shortages.
The eight are Ms Brenda Dhliwayo, Mr Godswill Mavenge, Ms Tafadzwa Miti, Ms Tatenda Makwanya, Ms Mary-Grace Mushaka, Mr Paul Mudonhi, Mr Batanai Tuhwe and Ms Kudzai Zihove.
Mr Guvamombe said these new magistrates should stick to the principles and values that guided justice delivery. He said there was shortage of magistrates countrywide.
“Currently magistrates are working long hours in court because our manpower is strained. It is my hope that the addition of these eight will improve the situation and enhance the administration of justice in the country,” he said.
Mr Guvamombe said the magistrates’ courts was the mirror of justice in the country, adding that magistrates should uphold the law as they dispensed justice.
He said a magistrate’s job was onerous and built on the indispensable values of honesty, integrity, impartiality and hard work among others.
“Any deviation from these values will not only tarnish the image of you as a magistrate, but can easily plunge the entire administration of justice into disrepute,” he said.
Mr Guvamombe urged magistrates to shun corruption, saying that it could undermine justice delivery in the country by denying victims and accused persons the right to a fair and impartial trial.
Speaking at the same function, the deputy director of National Prosecuting Authority Mr Nelson Mutsonziwa and Law Society of Zimbabwe president Ms Vimbai Nyemba, urged the new magistrates to execute their duties without fear or favour.
Ms Nyemba said: “The Law society does not tolerate corruption at all, you should shun corruption by refusing bribes. There has been talk in the past that corruption had eroded the integrity of our justice delivery system, but I am happy that there has been quite an improvement of late as the subject has been addressed over and over again.”
Online Reporter