Magistrates urged to be professional

Acting Chief Magistrate Munamato Mutevedzi congratulations newly-sworn in magistrates

Zvikomborero Parafini, Court Reporter

The Acting Chief Magistrate Munamato Mutevedzi yesterday urged magistrates to be professional and to uphold the integrity required of judicial officers.

Mutevedzi was speaking at the swearing in of 16 magistrates at Harare Magistrates Court.

“Integrity is what makes a judicial officer; a judicial officer without integrity is not a judicial officer at all.

“It’s important for every magistrate to observe that and to ensure that they carry themselves with the comportment that is required of any judicial officer,” said Mutevedzi.

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The newly sworn in magistrates will be deployed to various stations in the country and they bring the total number of magistrates to 235.

The Chief Magistrate hailed the addition of the new magistrates as the number of cases at the courts, both criminal and civil are increasing every year.

“The addition of magistrates in the compliment of staff we have at the Judicial Service Commission is a welcome relief and it will certainly increase the rate at which we clear cases in the courts,” said Mutevedzi.

Prosecutor General Kumbirai Hodzi was also in attendance and addressed the newly sworn in magistrates urging them to live up to the public expectations by executing their duties impartially.

“Never compromise on professionalism, honour and integrity as that is what remains at the end of the day, there might be temptations and pressures but you must steadfastly refuse those and never give in,” said Hodzi.

Hodzi further indicated that they will be working hard to improve the conditions of service for the new magistrates by looking into their remunerations.

The event was graced by Senior regional magistrate Hosea Mujaya as the director of ceremonies, Assistant Commissioner Mariga, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services Representative Superintendent Alfred Machingauta, Deputy Chief Magistrate Chrispen Mberewere, Provincial Head magistrate Vongai Muchuchuti, provincial magistrates amongst others.

HMETRO