Munyaradzi Doma
Acting chief magistrate Munamato Mutevedzi has defended the Judiciary Service Commission saying it was committed to dealing with all court cases professionally.
His sentiments follow reports that the JSC is failing to deal decisively with corruption cases while it was also named as one department captured by cartels who are running down Zimbabwe’s economy.
Prosecutor-General Kumbirai Hodzi on Monday also named the JSC among other sectors that have been captured by cartels across Zimbabwe.
However, swearing in 16 new magistrates at the Harare Magistrates’ Court Wednesday morning, Mutevedzi said the JSC was committed to professionalism.
“We are committed to be professional and to always uphold the integrity that is required of a judiciary officer. It’s what makes a judiciary officer.
“A judiciary officer without integrity is not a judiciary officer at all. So it’s important for every magistrate to observe that process and ensure that you carry yourself with the comportment that is required of a judiciary officer,” he said.
Mutevedzi said the newly sworn-in magistrates will help in clearing case backlogs as the country will now have about 235 magistrates.
“These additions always make us happier because of the levels and the number of cases that are coming into the courts.
“If you read into our statistics, the number of cases coming into courts, both civil and criminal cases, are increasing every year,” he said.
The newly sworn in magistrates will be stationed at various courts around Zimbabwe.
