MARONDERA - Residents of Cherutombo suburb here were last Tuesday shocked by a high profile abuse of office in which a local woman magistrate, Drawo, set a senior cop, Superintendent Gatsi, to arrest a resident who reportedly denied the magistrates family access to water from the accuseds private borehole.
According to eye witnesses and sources within the police, the accused, Dorcas Mabhodho, last week turned away the magistrates children from the borehole as all households had water running in the taps. This incensed the magistrate who later drove to Dorcass place accompanied by police Superintendent Gatsi and took her to the district police headquarters for further investigations.
The magistrate was reportedly angered by the fact that a mere housewife had turned away a government legal officers children from a borehole. She reported to the police that Dorcas had undermined her office of magistracy thus insulted the legal system as interpreters of law. Dorcas is a Good Samaritan who provided neighbours with safe drinking water from her family borehole. We were shocked to learn that a magistrate who benefitted from Dorcass generosity since the town experienced erratic water supplies could viciously bite the hand that feeds her. The fact that she allegedly threatened to take revenge on Dorcas should she commit a crime and get arraigned before a court which she would preside over, brings the integrity of the judiciary system into question, said a police source.
Residents said they were shocked to witness a top cop holding the rank of Superintendent swiftly reacting and attending to such a minor incident, when the police normally cited lack of manpower as the reason behind its failure to combat serious crimes. Superintendent Gatsi was reportedly assisted by Assistant Inspector Mupezi and Sergeant Jere to deal with the case. Dorcas was released at the police station without any charge preferred against her after police public relations staff described the incident as a minor understanding between neighbours.
However, there was drama at the Public Relations Office as Dorcass husband who is a retired Police Assistant Inspector, lectured to magistrate Drawo about aspects of good social behaviour.
Respected magistrate, you should desist from unnecessarily dragging innocent elderly people to police stations under flimsy charges. This woman you are troubling could be of the same age with your own biological mother. So, literally speaking according to our African culture, one can safely say this Dorcas contributed in one way or the other towards your upbringing and eventual provision of your professional knowledge as a judicial officer. In light of this perspective, there is every reason for you to be embarrassed and regretful for your conduct. Meanwhile, it is up to you as the all powerful magistrate to incarcerate my wife at Chikurubi Maximum Prison or any jail of your choice. I would visit her all the time and wish her well.
It is shameful for a country to have judiciary officials and top cops who use the influence of their public offices to benefit from hapless peoples private property. We call upon responsible authorities to investigate the Dorcas case as this could be a tip of an iceberg, said a furious resident Julius Ngorima.
Post published in: News