Judicial Services Commission Fires Magistrate Over Misconduct
Mayonyese had been on suspension since October last year. Her conviction arose soon after she convicted and fined stock thief, Felix Mujuru, $400 when he was found guilty of one count of stock theft.
GWERU — The Judicial Services Commission Monday fired Gweru magistrate, Gertrude Mayonyese, over charges of misconduct. Chief magistrate Mishrod Guvamombe confirmed Mayonyese's dismissal to VOA Studio 7 over the phone but said he could not provide further details as he was out of office. Mayonyese had been on suspension since October last year. Her conviction arose soon after she convicted and fined stock thief, Felix Mujuru, $400 when he was found guilty of one count of stock theft. The mandatory sentence is 9 years. A High Court review of the case reversed the judgment, compelling Nayonyese to pass the mandatory 9-year sentence and recommended that the magistrate be reprimanded for her conduct leading to her suspension and subsequent dismissal. Under the Judicial Service Commission Regulations Mayonyese has 21 days within which to appeal against her dismissal. Mayonyese was not available for comment. High Court judge Nokuthula Moyo had also ordered the Law Society of Zimbabwe to probe Mujuru’s lawyer, Tonderai Chitere for allegedly “manufacturing facts in the matter.” Multiple sources in the Law Society of Zimbabwe told VOA Studio 7 that Chitere was fined $500 by the Law Society of Zimbabwe. Law Society of Zimbabwe president Vimbai Nyemba said she can only comment Tuesday after consulting further. Mujuru was convicted of taking a bull belonging to Cephas Zirongwe Mukandi from the grazing paddock of farm number 5 Blink Water, Mvuma, to his Matamba Farm.