Supreme Court Judge Under Probe Over Misconduct Allegations
Supreme Court judge Justice Francis Bere is under investigation after President Emmerson Mnangagwa appointed a tribunal to look into fitness to hold the office after a lawyer accused him of interference in a civil case.
Retired judge Simbi Mubako assisted by lawyers Advocate Takawira Nzombe and Rekayi Maphosa have been selected to investigate Justice Bere.
The investigation into the judge’s conduct follows a complaint by lawyer Itai Ndudzo of Mutamangira and Associates, acting for the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) who are involved in a civil dispute with a company called Fremus Enterprises, which is allegedly owned by the judge’s relatives.
In his complaint made before Deputy Chief Justice Elizabeth Gwaunza, Ndudzo said:
The learned judge indeed contacted me telephonically. The commercial dispute between my client (Zinara) and Fremus Enterprises Pvt Ltd was discussed in the course of the conversation.
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The learned judge’s relatives are co-directors of Fremus Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd. The learned judge inquired whether or not there would be a possibility of payment being expedited to Fremus (Pvt) Ltd.
I declined the request and the conversation ended abruptly on that note.
The Investigation into Justice Bere’s conduct was confirmed in a statement on Monday by Cabinet Secretary Misheck Sibanda. He said:
Please be advised that His Excellency, the President has appointed a Tribunal to inquire into the question of removal from office of Honourable Justice Francis Bere.
The inquiry is expected to commence soon after the swearing-in of the members and is to be concluded within three months from the date of commencement.
Meanwhile, the judge has denied Ndudzo’s account saying the call was a purely social discussion.
