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Judge faces JSC probe over suggestive WhatsApp messages with subordinate
2 hrs ago |
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A High Court judge is under investigation by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) following allegations that he sent suggestive WhatsApp messages to a married court clerk, sparking a formal complaint after the messages were allegedly intercepted by her husband.
Justice Pisirayi Kwenda of the Harare High Court is at the centre of the inquiry after screenshots of the exchanges were reportedly submitted to the JSC, which is chaired by Chief Justice Luke Malaba.
ZimLive has been shown some of the messages, which allegedly begin with Justice Kwenda telling the woman that he missed her, before the conversation veered into innuendo.
"I miss you," the judge is said to have written, to which the woman responded: "Really?"
The exchange reportedly continued with the woman asking about vacation duty. Justice Kwenda allegedly replied in Shona: "Ne case yembudzi iyoyi" (With this goat case), a reference understood to relate to a goats-related court matter.
"Yaa pange paipa, I hope tools down now," the woman responded, according to the screenshots.
The judge allegedly seized on the wording, replying: "..and tools in," followed by a "see no evil" monkey emoji.
The final messages seen by the publication reportedly show the woman laughing and asking: "Kkk in where?"
It is not clear how many messages between the two are under review by the JSC.
The exchange is understood to have taken place days after Justice Kwenda delivered judgment in the high-profile corruption trial of businessmen Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu. The two were convicted and jailed over fraudulent documents used to secure an US$88 million Ministry of Agriculture tender for the supply of goats, with judgment handed down on December 8 last year.
Legal sources say that in his response to the JSC, Justice Kwenda argued that his privacy had been violated by the woman's husband, who allegedly intercepted the messages. The woman, on her part, is reported to have told the commission that "nothing happened" between her and the judge.
Chief Justice Malaba is now expected to determine whether the conduct amounts to judicial misconduct. If proven, this could result in disciplinary action against Justice Kwenda.
The case has drawn comparisons with a 2021 scandal that led to the removal of Justice Thompson Mabhikwa from the bench. Mabhikwa was dismissed following an inappropriate relationship with a court clerk at the Bulawayo High Court, a matter that escalated after private material was circulated within judicial circles.
JSC spokesperson Daniel Nemukuyu declined to comment on the matter.
The husband of the woman who filed the complaint also declined to comment when contacted.
The investigation places renewed focus on judicial ethics and conduct, with the JSC under pressure to demonstrate transparency and accountability within the judiciary.
Justice Pisirayi Kwenda of the Harare High Court is at the centre of the inquiry after screenshots of the exchanges were reportedly submitted to the JSC, which is chaired by Chief Justice Luke Malaba.
ZimLive has been shown some of the messages, which allegedly begin with Justice Kwenda telling the woman that he missed her, before the conversation veered into innuendo.
"I miss you," the judge is said to have written, to which the woman responded: "Really?"
The exchange reportedly continued with the woman asking about vacation duty. Justice Kwenda allegedly replied in Shona: "Ne case yembudzi iyoyi" (With this goat case), a reference understood to relate to a goats-related court matter.
"Yaa pange paipa, I hope tools down now," the woman responded, according to the screenshots.
The judge allegedly seized on the wording, replying: "..and tools in," followed by a "see no evil" monkey emoji.
The final messages seen by the publication reportedly show the woman laughing and asking: "Kkk in where?"
It is not clear how many messages between the two are under review by the JSC.
The exchange is understood to have taken place days after Justice Kwenda delivered judgment in the high-profile corruption trial of businessmen Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu. The two were convicted and jailed over fraudulent documents used to secure an US$88 million Ministry of Agriculture tender for the supply of goats, with judgment handed down on December 8 last year.
Legal sources say that in his response to the JSC, Justice Kwenda argued that his privacy had been violated by the woman's husband, who allegedly intercepted the messages. The woman, on her part, is reported to have told the commission that "nothing happened" between her and the judge.
Chief Justice Malaba is now expected to determine whether the conduct amounts to judicial misconduct. If proven, this could result in disciplinary action against Justice Kwenda.
The case has drawn comparisons with a 2021 scandal that led to the removal of Justice Thompson Mabhikwa from the bench. Mabhikwa was dismissed following an inappropriate relationship with a court clerk at the Bulawayo High Court, a matter that escalated after private material was circulated within judicial circles.
JSC spokesperson Daniel Nemukuyu declined to comment on the matter.
The husband of the woman who filed the complaint also declined to comment when contacted.
The investigation places renewed focus on judicial ethics and conduct, with the JSC under pressure to demonstrate transparency and accountability within the judiciary.
Source - Zimlive
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