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Walter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent—
State witnesses last week refused to testify at the Masvingo Regional Court protesting over non-payment of food allowances. About eight cases did not proceed as prosecutors failed to convince the disgruntled witnesses to get into court on “empty stomachs,” some of whom had travelled from as far as Mwenezi and Chikombedzi about 200km away.
The witnesses were supposed to testify in cases of attempted murder, robbery and rape.
Concerned prosecutors had to contribute their own money and managed to buy food for the witnesses but some of them still refused to testify as they also wanted assurance on transport cost reimbursements.
Witnesses are given food and transport allowances with those coming from afar getting more.
They get $1 each for lunch and transport. The money one gets depends on the distance covered and number of days spent attending court.
A state witness from Chiredzi who was testifying in a case of rape involving her relative threatened not to attend court unless she was assured of food, accommodation and transport.
“I know absconding a court hearing even if you are a witness is a punishable offence but they should not expect me to come and testify on an empty stomach. Next time, they better arrest me because I won’t come knowing very well that I will die of hunger here. The court should put its house in order. We have to get assurance for accommodation, bus fare and food first before we come,” she said.
Another disgruntled witness from Mwenezi appealed to the courts to treat them with dignity since they were not accused persons but only witnesses.
“Basically, we play a pivotal role in the state’s case. We provide information necessary for the courts to conclude their cases. It is against this background that we deserve respect as opposed to the kind of treatment we are subjected to. We also have rights since we are not criminals. We are a crucial constituency in the justice delivery system, hence the need to be treated as such and not to be punished for giving evidence,” said another witness.
Regional magistrate Colet Ncube was not available for comment.
However, an official who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed the incident and said Masvingo has not been getting its allocation for some time now.
“The incident which happened at the regional court was very unfortunate. A witness actually kept quiet during the process of giving evidence in court and this worried the prosecutor who asked what the problem was.
“The witness told the state that he could not continue because he was hungry. He said he wanted to be fed first before he could proceed.
“The prosecutor had to use his own money to buy the witness food since the accounts department has nothing at the moment. That is what I only witnessed but I am told there could be more that happened outside the court but not to my knowledge,” he said.
Efforts to get a comment from Chief Magistrate Mishrod Guvamombe were not successful at the time of going to press as his office asked for questions in writing on Friday.
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