Magistrates protest transfers, resign

The mass transfer of magistrates in recent months has irked two in Bulawayo as they have quit.

Maryln Muchina was meant to start work last Tuesday in Mutoko but resigned with immediate effect while Abednico Ndebele is leaving in December.

Ndebele had been moved to Esigodini with effect from January next year from Western Commonage magistrates' courts.

According to reports, chief Magistrate Mishrod Guvamombe confirmed the developments but downplayed the protest element.

"The two have resigned but it has nothing to do with the transfers. They never complained, they instead cited other reasons" he is quoted saying.

However, reports indicate that the resignations are in protest over the transfers.

"The two were not ready to move to their new stations. As for Ndebele he was yet to settle at Western Commonage after being moved from the regional courts last year then another transfer came up. The resignations could be a sign of protest," a source close to the developments said.

In recent months magistrates have been moved around stations.

The transfers targeted mining and border towns where temptations of corruption are high.

Most transfers took place in areas like Beitbridge, Kwekwe, Plumtree, Gwanda, Kadoma, Zvishavane, Mutare and Mutoko.

Some transfers were made in Harare, Bulawayo, Chitungwiza, Masvingo and Goromonzi.