peterSimba Jemwa, Sunday News Correspondent
A Bulawayo magistrate who last week convicted and sentenced nine members of Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) for stoning a police station in the city has been receiving threats since the day he handed the judgment.
On 3 June, Bulawayo regional magistrate Mr Tavengwa Sangster convicted the nine who had pleaded not guilty to charges of public violence as defined in section 36 (1)(a) of the of Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23 after a full trial.
They were however, found guilty and sentenced to prison terms of between 33 and 36 months.
The judgment and sentence went viral with social media abuzz with unflattering comments and attacks on the country’s justice system and its officers.
The nine are part of a crowd of MRP supporters who stormed Bulawayo Central Police Station on 10 March protesting the alleged harassment of their leader, Mr Mqondisi Moyo.
Responding to news of the convictions and prison sentences, social media activists believed to be supporters of the MRP immediately issued threats of violence on Mr Sangster and his family while also making claims of political interference and tribalism.
Suspected members of the MRP are believed to be behind some of the threats.
One suspected MRP activist using the Twitter handle @KahariThaddeus wrote on micro blogging site Twitter: “But we know whr (sic) these judges who enable the regime live and wrk (sic) . . . Why r (sic) we nt (sic) mking (sic) life difficult for them?”
Another activist, Bonginkosi Bongiwe Dube using the handle @BigNdebele, was unequivocal in his support for threats against Mr Sangster and following the same thread replied: “on point” with laughing emojis.
MRP is no stranger to making unfounded allegations against the State after being caught on the wrong side of the law for infractions that range from public violence to illegal gatherings.
Last week’s case stemmed from public storming and assault on Bulawayo Central Police Station by a crowd of MRP supporters, including the convicted nine, on 10 March protesting the alleged harassment of Mr Moyo.
After the conviction, it has since emerged that some of the nine men and women were high-ranking members of the MRP arrested during the assault on a key security establishment.
Legal commentators called on the Judiciary Service Commission (JSC) to investigate the threats.
“They are trying to intimidate us by threatening the well-being of our families as well as ourselves as revenge for our decisions,” said a prosecutor who chose to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals.
Another law officer said it was upon Zimbabwean authorities to prevent any attacks on Mr Sangster and other law officers across the country.
“This case follows a pattern of intimidation against the Judiciary, the magistrate’s courts and prosecutors who investigate and criminally prosecute illegal activities by political organisations and their members in the country, under the guise of self-expression,” he said.
The Law Society of Zimbabwe condemned the threats as a “direct attack against judicial independence.” — @RealSimbaJemwa
Bongani Ndlovu