Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Francis Bere launched a scathing attack on magistrates and described them as “little kings and queens” who have the potential to corrupt the judiciary system.
Justice Bere made these remarks when he overturned a 15-month sentence imposed on a teenager who was convicted of unlawfully detaining his 16-year-old girlfriend.
Said Justice Bere:
I must hasten to say that the office of the magistrate occupies a central role in the administration of both the civil and criminal justice system. Because the magistrate’s court is usually the court of first instance, the magistrate wields so much influence and power, which if not properly used can result in the corruption of the whole system.
Magistrates are regarded as little kings and queens in their areas of operation and therefore it is important that they exercise extreme restraint and caution in executing their duties to avoid the possible abuse of power they hold, especially when dealing with a youthful and unrepresented accused person,
The judge also said that jail should be the last resort, especially when it comes to you youthful ooffenders. Justice Bere also added
The court a quo’s sentence is set aside and substituted with a sentence to pay a fine of $150 in default of payment to undergo 20 days imprisonment
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