CIO intimidation forced magistrate to quit

CIO intimidation forced magistrate to quit

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By Lebo Nkatazo

A ZIMBABWEAN magistrate who quit his job two weeks ago by abruptly storming out of a courtroom in the middle of a rape case has fingered Zimbabwe's state security agents, claiming harassment.

Chitungwiza regional magistrate Taurai Chigwedu, in his first interview, says he quit after coming under intense pressure from Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) operatives to convict Misheck Chipunza who is charged with raping his seven-year-old daughter several times.

Chipunza is a former CIO officer. He resigned under unclear circumstances in 1997.

Chigwedu said he could no longer stand the intimidation and decided to quit.

Chigwedu said: “I could not stand the intimidation. These people (CIO) have been coming to court and pushing people around. There are other judicial officers who have been visited, but the question was 'should I convict Chipunza when I believe that he is innocent just because some people are exerting pressure on me?' Under the circumstances it was better for me to resign."

According to the record of proceedings at the Chitungwiza Magistrate Courts, Chigwedu recused himself during a court session, but not before stating his reasons.

He told the stunned court of a group of men who had confronted him over the case: "They came to me breathing fire and intended to inquire on matters I was handling. They (the men) believed Chipunza’s case was being improperly handled. No reasons were actually given for that belief or allegation."

Chigwedu said he had been made aware of a letter being circulated, which was addressed to President Robert Mugabe,'s Office, calling for an investigation into his alleged corrupt behaviour.

“If at all this was true, I was supposed to be investigated and arrested rather than have people spreading such serious, malicious allegations,” Chigwedu said, adding that the unidentified men wanted him to wave his judgment on Chipunza’s case.

He said: "When I took oath in 1995, I took the oath to deliver any judgment without fear or favour. Now I am being forced to convict accused person (Chipunza). My discretion…is fettered.

“In the interests of transparency, I therefore recuse myself in this matter. If it means starting it (the trial) afresh, that’s it,” Chigwedu said, before walking out of the courtroom.
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