Magistrates designated for violence cases

THE Judicial Service Commission has designated five magistrates to preside over cases of politically motivated violence and intimidation in the Midlands Province.

The designations come as Zimbabwe is slated to hold general elections next year.

Judicial Services Commission chairperson and Chief Justice Luke Malaba last week made the appointments in terms of the Electoral Act chapter 2:13.

According to a Government Gazette, Justice Malaba said magistrates Mrs Pathekile Msipa, Mr Musaiona Shortgame, Mr Tayengwa Chibanda, Mr Archie Wochiunga and Mr Livard Philemon had been designated to Gweru, Mvuma, Zvishavane and Kwekwe Magistrates Courts respectively.

In the notice, Justice Malaba said, “It is hereby notified that the Judicial Service Commission has in terms of section 133 j (3) of the Electoral Act chapter 2:13 designated the magistrates specified in the schedule to try cases involving politically motivated violence and intimidation in the Midlands Province.”

In April this year, three magistrates were designated to try such cases in Masvingo Province in preparation of the Mwenezi East by-election which was held during the same month.

The Judicial Services Commission designated 24 magistrates across the country’s 10 provinces to preside over cases of politically motivated violence in the 2013 harmonised elections.