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PSC holds hearing for fired prosecutors

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THE Public Service Commission (PSC) last week conducted disciplinary hearings for the five public prosecutors’ leaders dismissed by Attorney-General Johannes Tomana over allegations of leading a countrywide work stoppage at all the country’s magistrates’ courts last year.

THE Public Service Commission (PSC) last week conducted disciplinary hearings for the five public prosecutors’ leaders dismissed by Attorney-General Johannes Tomana over allegations of leading a countrywide work stoppage at all the country’s magistrates’ courts last year.

REPORT BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

The prosecutors’ lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa confirmed the development yesterday, adding the hearings held in Gweru were chaired by Secretary for Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs Virginia Mabhiza.

“We went to Gweru last week from October 24-26 to attend a disciplinary hearing, and I am going to forward my final submissions tomorrow (today),” Mtetwa said.

Deputy Attorney-General (crime) Florence Ziyambi, acting director of public prosecution Tawanda Zvekare, director of human resources Maxwell Ranga and chief law officer Michael Mugabe all testified against the law officers.

The five prosecutors, who are leaders of the Zimbabwe Law Officers’ Association (Ziloa), included Dereck Charamba, Leopold Mudisi, Patrobs Dube, Mehluli Tshuma and Musekiwa Mbanje.

Tomana has refused to comply with a court order directing him to reinstate them arguing they contravened his office’s code of conduct.

Court business throughout the country ground to a halt for almost two weeks last year after Ziloa-affiliated public prosecutors downed tools demanding a salary review.  Tomana first charged the Ziloa leaders with defiance, misconduct and inciting other workers to stage a work boycott.

He then withdrew their practising certificates, setting the stage for a legal battle as the Ziloa leaders challenged Tomana’s decision.