News / National
Corrupt magistrates to be flushed out
08 Dec 2012 at 04:39hrs | Views
ALL indisciplined and corrupt magistrates will be dealt with firmly and the Judicial Service Commission will not hesitate to take stern disciplinary action against errant behaviour.
Officially opening the 2012 Magistrates Association of Zimbabwe annual general meeting at a local hotel last Friday, Chief Magistrate, Mishrod Guvamombe, said the Judicial Service has so far dealt with several cases of indiscipline amongst magistrates with some being charged with acts of misconduct while others were dismissed from the Judicial Service.
"As they say, one rotten egg has the potential to spoil a whole basket. Let us all endeavour to preserve the dignity of our calling. We will not hesitate to take stern disciplinary action against any errant behaviour.
"The cases of indiscipline I am referring to range from outright corruption to dereliction of duty.
"That corruption is a cancer amidst us has become a song that some of you have learnt to ignore. You are, however, rest assured that we will never throw up our hands in exasperation and hope for divine intervention.
We will ensure that anyone caught in these nicodemous deals is dealt with firmly. I will mention, however, that the majority of you are professional and we commend the way you have executed your duties," he said.
He also took a swipe at some magistrates who allow their private lives to interfere with their duties.
"That profession you chose is a conservative profession. Your social relationships must be beyond reproach. As long as your private life is affecting or has the potential to affect your work, it ceases to be private and as your leadership we will take interest. This may sound imaginary but it is a fact that this year alone we have had both female and male magistrates whose personal relationships triggered complaints that resulted in acts of misconduct being preferred against them," said Guvamombe.
He urged magistrates to remain united. Two Senior Provincial magistrates lost their jobs this year after they were convicted of misconduct charges.
From September 2011, national criminal cases backlog was reduced from over 45 000 cases to a remarkable 10 000 cases.
Officially opening the 2012 Magistrates Association of Zimbabwe annual general meeting at a local hotel last Friday, Chief Magistrate, Mishrod Guvamombe, said the Judicial Service has so far dealt with several cases of indiscipline amongst magistrates with some being charged with acts of misconduct while others were dismissed from the Judicial Service.
"As they say, one rotten egg has the potential to spoil a whole basket. Let us all endeavour to preserve the dignity of our calling. We will not hesitate to take stern disciplinary action against any errant behaviour.
"The cases of indiscipline I am referring to range from outright corruption to dereliction of duty.
"That corruption is a cancer amidst us has become a song that some of you have learnt to ignore. You are, however, rest assured that we will never throw up our hands in exasperation and hope for divine intervention.
He also took a swipe at some magistrates who allow their private lives to interfere with their duties.
"That profession you chose is a conservative profession. Your social relationships must be beyond reproach. As long as your private life is affecting or has the potential to affect your work, it ceases to be private and as your leadership we will take interest. This may sound imaginary but it is a fact that this year alone we have had both female and male magistrates whose personal relationships triggered complaints that resulted in acts of misconduct being preferred against them," said Guvamombe.
He urged magistrates to remain united. Two Senior Provincial magistrates lost their jobs this year after they were convicted of misconduct charges.
From September 2011, national criminal cases backlog was reduced from over 45 000 cases to a remarkable 10 000 cases.
Source - post
