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Tsholotsho magistrate in trouble over judgment

by Staff reporter
19 Oct 2020 at 06:27hrs | Views
TSHOLOTSHO magistrate Rogers Mawarire is in trouble after a Chiredzi woman Violet Chauke, who was severely bitten on the nose by a soldier lodged a complaint against him with the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) for obstructing the course of justice.

Chauke was bitten on the nose by Godfrey Chiwara (32) of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA), but Mawarire allegedly gave him a two-year sentence, which angered her as she hoped for severe punishment.

Chief Magistrate Munamato Mutevedzi confirmed receiving the complaint and promised to investigate the matter before action is taken.

"I can confirm receiving that complaint. We are going to investigate the matter and appropriate action will be taken," Mutevedzi said.

According to Chauke, her nose was bitten off by Chiwara, a member of the ZNA who is attached to the demining regiment in Dumisa in Chikombedzi.

However, Mawarire sentenced Chiwara to two years in jail, of which six months were suspended for three years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within that period.

The remaining 18 months were suspended on condition that the accused performed 630 hours of community service at Nyabira Police Station.

It is also alleged that Mawarire was transferred to Tsholotsho from Chiredzi after a series of complaints from members of the public.

Chauke was attacked by Chiwara after he borrowed $100 from her and failed to pay back. When she demanded her money, he became elusive. However, on December 23, 2018, she met him at Chikombedzi Police Station and a scuffle ensued, resulting in him biting off a chunk of her nose.

She was admitted at Chikombedzi Mission Hospital and treated for severe injuries and later transferred to a specialist doctor at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare for a plastic surgery which cost US$1 500.

She later sought medical attention in South Africa where she had a skin graft on the nose.

The matter dragged for two years after she reported it to the police who reportedly did not take action.

She also approached the late ZNA Colonel Overson Mugwisi and Lieutenant-Colonel Alphios Makotore in Harare, which led to Chiwara's arrest before he appeared in court on July 29, 2020.

He was remanded out of custody to September 30, 2020.

Source - newsday