EX-MAGISTRATE IN US$150 BRIBE CASE BACK IN COURT NEXT WEEK

Ray Bande

Mutare Bureau

A SENIOR magistrate, who resigned from the Judicial Services Commission in September after he was suspended for allegedly demanding a US$150 ‘token of appreciation’ from a defendant in a civil case, will be back in court next Friday.

Xavior Chipato was granted US$200 bail when he appeared before Mutare regional magistrate Ms Sekai Chiwundura.

District prosecutor, Tirivanhu Mutyasira, led the State’s case.

Chipato is being accused of demanding ‘a token of appreciation’ from a defendant in a court case he was presiding over.

Mutyasira told the court that during the period between July 6 to July 17, Chipato was presiding over a civil case in which Juliet Vera, a 42-year-old self-employed woman from Mutare, was the defendant.

The court heard that on July 6, Chipato allegedly initiated contact with Vera and provided her with his personal contact number, 0775 885 550.The following day, Chipato allegedly called Vera and ordered her to bring a “token of appreciation” of US$150 to him.

He allegedly assured her that, in return, he would rule in her favour by setting aside the case against her due to improper service of summons.

Mutyasira told the court that Chipato presided over the case and ruled that the summons had been improperly served.

The court also heard that a few hours after the court session, Chipato made repeated WhatsApp calls to Vera and demanded the US$150 payment.

On July 12, the prosecutor said Chipato allegedly contacted Vera and told her that she was “never going to win a civil case” and that he was “going to deal with her” in a future case.

Mutyasira told the court that Chipato presided over the main trial on July 17 and he denied Vera the opportunity to present her defence.

He accused her of wasting the court’s time and immediately ruled against her by ordering her to vacate her shop and pay the debt.

Part of Chipato’s bail conditions include residing at a given address and not to interfere with witnesses as well as to report every fortnight on Fridays at ZAAC Offices between 6am and 6pm.

He was granted bail with State’s consent.