Source: Bulawayo magistrate jailed for criminal abuse of duty – herald
Trust Freddy
Zimpapers Correspondent
A Bulawayo-based provincial magistrate has been sentenced to an effective 18 months in prison for criminal abuse of duty after she unlawfully ordered the release of a remand prisoner.
In a statement released on Thursday, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed the conviction and sentencing of Evia Matura (47), who was based at the Tredgold Magistrates’ Court.
The NPA revealed that Matura was found guilty after a trial established that she deliberately bypassed legal procedures to grant an inmate freedom without a valid court application.
The charges against Matura arose from events between June and July 2025 involving a suspect, Obert Manduna.
According to the NPA, Matura initially presided over Manduna’s bail application on June 23 and formally denied it two days later. Manduna was subsequently remanded in custody at Khami Remand Prison.
However, during a routine remand appearance on July 2, Matura took an irregular turn.
Despite the State and the defence only consenting to a postponement for trial allocation, she unilaterally ordered Manduna’s release.
The NPA proved that the release was unlawful as “no application for bail based on changed circumstances had been made, nor was there any directive from the High Court authorising release.”
The State argued that Matura’s conduct was a deliberate violation of her judicial oath.
The NPA noted that the court found her actions “conferred an undue benefit to the accused person and undermined the integrity of judicial processes.”
In passing sentence, the court slapped Matura with 24 months imprisonment.
Six months were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour, leaving an effective 18-month custodial sentence.
Meanwhile, the National Prosecuting Authority has reiterated that judicial officers are expected to act with total impartiality, warning that any deviation resulting in unlawful benefits will be met with the full force of the law.
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