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Former magistrate arrested
2 hrs ago |
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The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) has arrested former Mutare magistrate Xavier Chipato on allegations of extorting a litigant in a case he was presiding over.
Chipato appeared yesterday before Mutare Regional Magistrate Sekesai Chiwundura, who granted him US$200 bail. He is expected back in court on Friday.
He faces one count of extortion under Section 134 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, and an alternative charge of bribery under Section 170(1)(a)(i).
Chipato resigned from the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) in September after being suspended on accusations of criminal abuse of office and improper communication with a litigant.
The new extortion charge arises from a complaint by Juliet Vera, a litigant in a matter Chipato handled between July 6 and July 17, 2025.
Court documents show that Chipato presided over case MTCG 135/25, in which Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe sought a summary judgment to evict Vera from shop F15/16 at Village Market, Mutare.
Prosecutors allege that on July 7, Chipato phoned Vera and demanded US$150 as a "token of appreciation" in exchange for a favourable ruling. He subsequently ruled in her favour, citing defective summons by Stanbic.
After the court session, Chipato allegedly contacted Vera again via WhatsApp, pressing her to pay the money. On July 12, he allegedly phoned her again, threatening that she would "never win any of her civil cases" if she failed to comply.
Despite the earlier ruling, Chipato presided over the main trial on July 17 and issued an eviction order against Vera. Prosecutors say he barred her from presenting her defence and reprimanded her for "wasting the court's time."
Feeling victimized, Vera reported the matter to the JSC, leading to Chipato's suspension.
Investigators later confirmed that the cellphone number allegedly used to threaten her - 0775885530 - is registered under Chipato through Ecocash records.
Chipato is represented by Gerald Mukonyora of Gonese & Ndlovu Legal Practitioners, while Tirivanhu Mutyasira is prosecuting.
Chipato appeared yesterday before Mutare Regional Magistrate Sekesai Chiwundura, who granted him US$200 bail. He is expected back in court on Friday.
He faces one count of extortion under Section 134 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, and an alternative charge of bribery under Section 170(1)(a)(i).
Chipato resigned from the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) in September after being suspended on accusations of criminal abuse of office and improper communication with a litigant.
The new extortion charge arises from a complaint by Juliet Vera, a litigant in a matter Chipato handled between July 6 and July 17, 2025.
Court documents show that Chipato presided over case MTCG 135/25, in which Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe sought a summary judgment to evict Vera from shop F15/16 at Village Market, Mutare.
After the court session, Chipato allegedly contacted Vera again via WhatsApp, pressing her to pay the money. On July 12, he allegedly phoned her again, threatening that she would "never win any of her civil cases" if she failed to comply.
Despite the earlier ruling, Chipato presided over the main trial on July 17 and issued an eviction order against Vera. Prosecutors say he barred her from presenting her defence and reprimanded her for "wasting the court's time."
Feeling victimized, Vera reported the matter to the JSC, leading to Chipato's suspension.
Investigators later confirmed that the cellphone number allegedly used to threaten her - 0775885530 - is registered under Chipato through Ecocash records.
Chipato is represented by Gerald Mukonyora of Gonese & Ndlovu Legal Practitioners, while Tirivanhu Mutyasira is prosecuting.
Source - Mirror
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