Two officials from the High Court of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo have been convicted of fraud and bribery by the Tredgold Magistrates' Court in a case that has raised concerns about integrity within the justice system.
Ceasar Nkomo, 63, an assessor at the High Court, and Shingirai Mupunga, 29, a research assistant, were found guilty of soliciting and receiving US$1,974 from Solomon Ndlovu under the pretext of reinstating his civil case.
Nkomo was sentenced to eight years in prison, with two years suspended for five years and a further one year suspended on condition of restitution, leaving him to serve an effective five-year jail term.
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Mupunga, who allegedly introduced himself to the complainant as the “Registrar,” is currently on a warrant of arrest after failing to appear in court for sentencing.
The conviction followed investigations that revealed the pair had misrepresented their authority to facilitate the reinstatement of Ndlovu’s case, which had previously been removed from the court roll.
Evidence presented in court included call records, EcoCash transaction statements, as well as WhatsApp and text messages, which prosecutors said proved the accused had solicited money under false pretences.
Prosecutor Owen Mugari urged the court to impose a stiff sentence, arguing that Nkomo’s conduct had brought the Judicial Service Commission into disrepute.
The court agreed, noting that bribery is a serious offence that undermines the integrity and credibility of the judicial system.
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