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The Herald, 19 January 1988

ACTS of corruption are slowly creeping into Zimbabwe’s justice system with some court officials suspected of taking bribes and getting rid of court records and exhibits to obstruct the course of justice, says the head of the High Court.

Some court officials at the Harare Magistrates’ Court could be indulging in bribery and corruption judging from reports that have reached the High Court, the Judge President, Justice Sandura said yesterday.

Officially opening the 1988 High Court sittings in Harare, Justice Sandura said a senior magistrate in Harare had in a recent letter to his superiors commented on acts of corruption at the courts, which he (the magistrate) said were becoming common.

The magistrate, who said he had been prevented from making a judgement because of missing records, said it was difficult to find the culprits.

But, if the situation continued unabated, the course of justice would be defeated as accused persons would be acquitted because of missing documents.

The Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa, and the Minister of Home Affairs Cde Moven Mahachi, who were present at the opening, heard Justice Sandura call for investigations to stamp out corruption by court officials.

Some presiding officers were bringing the administration of justice into disrepute by their bad manners to the public.

In magistrates’ courts too many cases were being remanded, often because of lack of commitment by prosecutors to do their work.

LESSONS FOR TODAY

A well-functioning justice system is crucial to address corruption effectively, which in turn is important for development. At a time when corruption is rife, it also needs to be emphasised that the courts should be effective in dealing with the cancer.

The people are major victims of corruption, especially taxpayers.

Judicial  corruption is a lot more than having corrupt magistrates. It includes all forms of inappropriate influence that may  damage the impartiality of justice, and may involve any act within the justice system, including lawyers and administrative support staff.

There are many factors responsible for delay in the dispensation of justice in the magistrate courts, as the number of magistrates’ court in the land and the amount of cases before the courts, but delay due to corruption dents the image of the justice system.

Citizens can also record any evidence relating to corruption, write down the alleged corruption and preserve any relevant documents that may prove corruption has taken or is taking place.