Neighbourhood watch committee member appoints himself as magistrate

An overzealous member of a neighbourhood watch committee has been jailed for three months after he appointed himself the presiding magistrate in a suspected rape case.

Peterson Masanga (44) of Marupande Village, Mazhaka 1, Tengwe, pleaded guilty to a charge of obstructing the course of justice when he appeared before Karoi magistrate Mr Robson Finsin last week.

The court heard that on April 19 this year, village head Mr Evans Karigaduri tasked him to take Edmore Kapofu (32), who was suspected of raping a 10-year-old, to Tengwe Police Station.

However, Masanga took Kapofu, the victim and her parents to his home where he set up a "court" and appointed himself magistrate.

He allegedly claimed that a constable at Tengwe Police Station had vested him with powers to preside over the case "since it was civil".

He also allegedly told the girl's parents that the case was "quite trivial since there was no penetration involved" and forced them to accept compensation in the form of a cow and 12 buckets of maize from Kapofu.

Although the parents did not voice any concern, fellow villagers later alerted police.

In mitigation, Masanga begged Mr Finsin to be lenient since he is married with two children.

Mr Webster Dimingo prosecuted.