BULAWAYO - A Plumtree magistrate and prosecutors have decided not to preside over a case involving soldiers who shot a policeman after a death threat was made against one of them.Magistrate Mark Dziva received a letter warning him that he would die, after he denied bail to the accused soldiers, Victor Mugo, Tapiwa Chigiji and Trust Matende.
The magistrate was also told, in an unsigned letter delivered to his office, to remove himself from the case and leave the border town.
Sources said the harassment of the Dziva forced other magistrates there to refuse to take over the case, resulting in its being transferred to Gwanda in Matabeleland South.
Gwanda magistrate Douglas Zvenyika will preside over the case, now scheduled for November 16.
Magistrate Dziva could not be reached for comment.
Lawyers, magistrates and prosecutors face continued intimidation and several lawyers have been arrested and detained while discharging their official duties.
Human rights lawyers on Wednesday held a crisis meeting in Harare, where they complained about the failure of the attorney-general, Johannes Tomana, to protect lawyers from harassment.
Post published in: Politics