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Mr Guvamombe

Patrick Chitumba Midlands Bureau
THE Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has redeployed 52 magistrates across the country in a move that has been seen as a demotion for some magistrates. Some were reduced to ordinary magistrates from resident magistrates. The redeployments are with effect from January 1 next year. In the Midlands province, Mr Tayengwa Sangster has been moved to Gweru as an ordinary magistrate from Shurugwi where he was resident magistrate.

Taking up Mr Sangster’s position is Ms Judith Taruvinga, who was stationed in Gweru. Mrs Sithabile Zungula from Gokwe and Ms Elizabeth Magomore from Gweru are exchanging posts. Ms Vimbai Makora from Gweru has been deployed to Zvishavane and Ms Vimbai Mtukwa from Kwekwe is moving to Zaka as resident magistrate. Mr Tinashe Tashaya is moving from the Bulawayo Magistrates’ Court to Kwekwe Magistrates’ Court. Mr Sherperd Mnjanja is moving from Zvishavane to Gweru Magistrates’ Court. Chief magistrate Mr Mishrod Guvamombe confirmed the redeployments. He described the move as a routine exercise.

“Yes, magistrates are on the move. They are being transferred across the country. There are over 50 who have been transferred for various reasons, but the main one is that we want to improve on operational efficiency. Every year we transfer them, so this is a routine exercise and there is a circular to that effect,” he said. In September last year, two Bulawayo magistrates resigned in protest after they were redeployed to new stations. While the JSC insisted that magistrates tendered their resignations due to other undisclosed reasons, sources said the two left in protest over the transfers.