JSC Relieves Kwekwe Magistrate Of His Duties

The Judiciary service commission has fired Kwekwe magistrate Story Rushambwa for criminal abuse of office and gross misconduct, New Zimbabwe reports.

The development was confirmed by JSC Spokesperson Rumbidzai Takawira who said:

It is true that Mr. Rushambwa was suspended from work in December 2019 following allegations of criminal abuse of office after he unprocedurally dealt with some cases when he was on vacation leave.

Besides the criminal allegations, the Commission also preferred misconduct charges against him,

Takawira also shed light on what will happen to Rushambwa’s active cases since he has been relieved of his duties:

Further, the law provides that where a judicial officer ceases to hold office or is incapacitated from proceeding with cases he has partly heard, the proceedings are abortive and must commence afresh before another magistrate.

This is what will happen to Mr. Rushambwa’s cases. Prosecution must urgently place them before another magistrate for trial and finalisation.

Rushambwa was in trouble with the law after he allegedly facilitated the release of a stolen car to popular businessman Shepherd Tundiya.

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