Trouble Looming For Justice Ndewere As Mnangagwa Fires Justice Bere
15 October 2020
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Paul Nyathi

Justice Bere

Hope could just be lost for Justice Erica Ndewere after president Emmerson Mnangagwa this Thursday fired seasoned Judge Francis Bere.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa today removed Supreme Court Judge Justice Francis Bere from the bench over allegations of abuse of office.

This comes after a tribunal probing the suspended Supreme Court Judge established that the learned judge was unfit for office.

The three-member tribunal chaired by retired Simbi Mubako found Bere guilty of interference in a civil case involving the Zimbabwe National Road Administration and his relatives.

The tribunal which was investigating Bere’s suitability to hold office on Thursday recommended his removal for acts of gross misconduct before Mnangagwa endorsed the recommendation.

“Following the advice of the Judicial Service Commission that the question of removing honourable Justice Francis Bere ought to be investigated, the President, acting in terms of section 187(3) of the constitution, appointed, through proclamation number 1 of 2020, a tribunal to inquire into the question of removal from office of the said judge,” read a statement issued by Misheck Sibanda, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet

“His Excellency the President, accordingly, acting in terms of Section 187(81 of the Constitution, has removed the Honourable Judge from office with immediate effect.

A judge who recently granted l to MDC vice chairman Job Sikhala has also been suspended in a similar fashion by the Judicial Service Commission headed by Chief Justice Luke Malaba.

Justice Erica Ndewere of the Harare High Court is accused of “misconduct and conduct inconsistent with being a judicial officer,” said Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs secretary Virginia Mabhiza.

The JSC has also been referred the matter to President Emmerson Mnangagwa to appoint a tribunal to “inquire into the question of removal from office of Justice Erica Ndewere,” Mabhiza added.

Sikhala, charged with incitement of violence, was granted bail on appeal by Justice Ndewere on September 22 after spending a month at the notorious Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison.