THE Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has warned court officials to shun corruption or face the wrath of the law. Report by Feluna Nleya
JSC secretary-general Justice Rita Makarau told NewsDay last Friday that the recent arrest and prosecution of judicial officers in Plumtree and Gokwe should serve as a warning to other would-be criminal elements within the judiciary.
“We have about two magistrates who have been arrested on allegations of corruption and we want to say we do not tolerate any corruption within the organisation, so we will let the law take its course,” said Justice Makarau.
“I hope these are the last and we say all those who will be found wanting shall face the consequences. We hope no more magistrates will engage in corrupt activities,” she added.
Recently, a Plumtree magistrate, Stephen Mavuna, appeared in court on charges of criminal abuse of office while a Gokwe magistrate, Crispen James Mberewere, was also arrested for allegedly receiving $1 600 as a bribe from four traditional healers before he facilitated their release from remand prison.
There has been an increase in the number of judicial officers involved in corruption in recent years and analysts attribute the development to poor salaries.
Justice Makarau said the JSC would continue lobbying for improvement in its members’ working conditions to combat corruption.
“Magistrates and judges are not happy with their salaries and there is need for their salaries to be looked into so that they are happy, so we continue advocating for better salaries for them so that they can work happily,” she said.
