JSC promotes, re-deploys Bulawayo magistrates

Auxilia Katongomara, Chronicle Reporter
THE Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has promoted and re-deployed two magistrates in Bulawayo as part of a routine exercise to strengthen its operations.

Sibongile Msipa-Marondedze, who was the resident magistrate for the Western Commonage magistrates’ courts, has been promoted to regional magistrate at Tredgold Building. The regional magistrate post fell vacant following the dismissal of Sikhumbuzo Nyathi in July after a disciplinary hearing.

Nyathi was found guilty of trying to bribe a junior magistrate to influence her judgment early this year.

Acting regional magistrate Abednico Diliza Ndebele, who moved from Tsholotsho magistrates court in June, has been re-deployed to Western Commonage as the resident magistrate to fill the position vacated by Msipa–Marondedze.

Chief Magistrate Mishrod Guvamombe said the promotions were with the effect from October 30.

“Msipa-Marondedze has been promoted to regional magistrate at the regional court at Tredgold Magistrates Court while Ndebele, who had been acting magistrate, will take over as Resident Magistrate at Western Commonage Courts. The promotions are with effect from October 30,” said Guvamombe.

Msipa-Marondedze joined the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs in 1999 as a public prosecutor before she applied for a magisterial post in 2001.

Prior to her new appointment, she was a magistrate in Plumtree, Tredgold before being appointed as the resident magistrate at Western Commonage courts.

She holds a certificate from the Judicial College of Zimbabwe (JCZ) and a Law degree from the Midlands State University.
Msipa-Marondedze joins other regional magistrates Mark Dzira, Trynos Hutahwashe and Crispen Mberewere as the only female magistrate at the regional court.

Ndebele attended the JCZ between 1995 and 1997 and acquired a magistrate administration certificate before he was sworn in as a magistrate in December 1997.

He is among the first group of magistrates to attend the JCZ and worked at Western Commonage and Tredgold before moving to Tsholotsho.

In 2014, he graduated from the University of Zimbabwe with an LLB honours degree.