Magistrate Resigns, Cites Burnout And Unfair Treatment By JSC

A magistrate based in Kariba resigned last week citing burnout and unfair treatment by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

In the resignation letter dated 16 September 2021, Kariba Magistrate Tafadzwa Mhlanga also cited his redeployment from Mvuma to Kariba as one of the factors behind his decision. Wrote Mhlanga:

My working relationship with the Commission has drastically deteriorated from the time l was moved to Kariba Magistrates’ Court in January 2020.

From the onset, l had vehemently objected to the redeployment exercise from Mvuma to Kariba Magistrates’ Court in a space of only one-and-half years at Mvuma Court.

The actual basis of my redeployment was unclear. l had to leave my family behind in order to start a new life in Kariba.

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Mhlanga said his bosses at the JSC have repeatedly frustrated his attempts to be transferred from the resort border town.

He also exposed the excessive workload he had to endure working at the Kariba JSC outpost. Said Mhlanga:

I have been working as a one-man station from September 2020 when Mrs (Bianca) Mahere voluntarily resigned up to this date.

As a result of that, l could not go for two-week breaks that were afforded to other magistrates during that period of lockdown.

It is also difficult for me to get annual off days in the absence of another magistrate.

I am being denied a fundamental right of going on leave due to the absence of a relief magistrate.

It is, therefore, my considered view that it is high time for me to resign from the organisation and explore other employment opportunities.

JSC secretary Walter Chikwanha, represented by one S. Mutendamambo, accepted the resignation, before ordering the disgruntled law officer to stay home serving his notice period that ends on 14 December.

Meanwhile, Magistrate Munamato Mutevedzi has reportedly been shaken by Mhlanga’s resignation, which comes after Mahere, who was stationed at the same court, resigned last year.

More: NewZimbabwe.com