Gweru Magistrate, two Prosecutors sucked in Allegations of bribery and selective Application of Justice

....As Office of the Provincial Magistrate initiates formal investigations into the matter

By Senior Court Reporter & Harry Taruva Kwedu News Editor-in-Chief

Gweru, Zimbabwe- A final-year student at Midlands State University, Courage Maningi, has stepped forward with explosive claims and Allegations of corruption involving officials at the Gweru Magistrate Court, Kwedu News can exclusively reveal.

Our publication has obtained a confidential PDF compilation of multiple complaint statements that form the basis of explosive corruption allegations against two prosecutors and a magistrate at the Gweru Magistrate Court.

Kwedu News is in possession of a letter written by the Provincial Magistrate S Chitumwa outlining the commencement of formal investigations into the conduct of Magistrate Mr Maburo.

” Persuant to the investigations of the above state case, Gwp 2014/24 where in there was a complaint against the conduct of our magistrate, we received information which we believe we have to bring to your attention. Please find attached 3 statements recorded as part of the investigations ” Wrote Provincial Magistrate S Chitumwa to the District Public Prosecutor.
In a sworn affidavit , Complainant , 24-year-old Courage Maningi alleges that prosecutors Taurai Mabuto and Margret Mkucha solicited up to US$800 from his family in return for a reduced sentence on fraud charges that Maningi was facing.

“On a date that I do not recall, I was summoned to court to attend a trial, when I met two court four prosecutors Tau and Mukucha. Tau told me that I had defrauded the state and I was not going to be released… Mkucha indicated to me that I was going to be jailed. The trial did not commence on that day.”

He further alleged that he was pressured to plead guilty:
“On the 17th of April I was found guilty of committing fraud and remanded in custody… The inmates that I was with stated that I was going to languish in prison because the magistrate and the interpreter work hand in hand.”
Courage’s lawyer, Tatenda Kamwenda, reportedly referenced another case involving Takunda Manjokota—convicted of defrauding US$15,000 but spared prison following an alleged bribe. Courage claimed that Magistrate Maburo, who presided over his case, dismissed all related submissions:
“Little did I know that something was going on in the background that the prosecutors Tau and Mukucha were demanding money from my father.”
A police officer, identified as Officer Maningi, is said to have disclosed that:
“The prosecutors were demanding money… They were demanding $600.00.”
Courage remained in prison for four days as his parents resisted the alleged bribe. He also described two similar alleged fraud cases:
“Tau came and coached this accused on what to say in court… Tau was bragging that if you pay your life will become easy… The Bata manager did not go to jail… I was slapped with an effective 15 months in prison… The inmates at Hwahwa Prison know court four as ‘Court yemagweja’ meaning court of utmost corruption.”
In a separate affidavit, Courage’s father, Farai Maningi, corroborated his son’s allegations:
“Mkucha suggested that I give her $800.00 because the magistrate also needed money… Tau said I must give them $600 so that they can go and talk to the magistrate.”
He stated that he declined after consulting their lawyer, who advised against engaging in corruption. After sentencing, Maningi said Tau made another monetary request:
“Tau told me that I was free to appeal… Tau demanded $500.00 for the magistrate to fast track the appeal process.”
Meanwhile Defense attorney Kamwenda has also filed formal complaints accusing the prosecutors of sabotaging his reputation:
“The prosecutor tarnished my image, my tool of trade, while targeting my client for money… I was shocked by the conduct… and advised my client not to yield.”
Attempts to obtain a comment from Prosecutor Margret Mukucha were unsuccessful as she could not be reached on her phone.
Public Prosecutor Taurai Mabuto, when contacted for commentary, firmly denied the allegations and distanced himself from the matter:
“The letter that you are purporting to have been written by the Provincial Magistrate has nothing to do with me. I am not answerable to the Judicial Service Commission but the National Prosecution Authority. I haven’t received any formal complaint from anyone, hence I cannot comment on speculations,” he boldly stated.
While accusations swirl, some insiders have expressed caution against drawing conclusions too quickly. A court official, requesting anonymity due to professional reasons, challenged the validity of the claims:
“Journalists must conduct extensive investigations into such claims before publishing… Some of these accusations may stem from personal grudges or bitterness—particularly from the lawyer in question, who may have lost a client, ”said the official
He added that cases being written about passed through judicial scrutiny and were found to have no procedural irregularities… No magistrate has the authority to discredit what another magistrate has sentenced—who are they to challenge what has already been approved by a judge?”
Regarding courtroom dynamics, the source suggested tensions may have sparked personal conflict:
“After the public prosecutor outmaneuvered the defense, the fallout may have spilled into these allegations.”

The complainant, Courage Maningi who has since been granted bail after appealing to the High Court of Zimbabwe had been convicted for fraud and sentenced to 23 months in Prison.

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