Magistrate accused of causing the disappearance of court files

A MAGISTRATE has been charged with criminal abuse of office after failing to produce sentencing records for the last three years.

Stephen Mavuna, 30, was required by law to forward all his judgements to the regional courts for scrutiny within a week, and when required records of proceedings to be submitted to the High Court for appeals.

But appearing before a Bulawayo magistrate last Friday, prosecutors said Mavuna - who was stationed in Plumtree and Kezi - had neglected submitting his judgements since 2009.

And when police launched their investigations in October this year, said Tarisai Mutarisi for the State, they discovered none of the records survived. Mavuna is also accused of causing their disappearance.

The exact number of missing records is yet to be established, but dozens of convicted criminals could be freed on appeal at the High Court if records of proceedings from the lower court are not found.

Bulawayo provincial magistrate Tawanda Muchemwa remanded Mavuna out of custody to November 30 on free bail.