More grief for fired Kwekwe magistrate

Fired Kwekwe magistrate Story Rushambwa’s freedom bid was dealt a huge blow after the court dismissed his application for discharge.

Rushambwa (48) was arrested last year together with the Clerk of Court Bright Mpiyabo (45) on allegations of abuse of office.

The pair appeared before Gokwe regional magistrate Mr Taurai Manwere at the Gweru magistrates court yesterday for the ruling on the application for discharge they made to the court at the close of the State case last year.

Rushambwa and Mpiyabo pleaded not guilty. The duo is on $2 000 bail each and was remanded to June 16 when they will be put to their defence.

Mr Manwere while dismissing their application said they had a case to answer.

“The accused applied for their discharge at the close of the State case and the application is hereby dismissed. The accused will be put to their defence and are remanded to June 16,” he said.

Rushambwa was early last year suspended from work pending investigations after he was arrested together with Mpiyabo on allegations of illegally facilitating the release of a stolen vehicle to a businessman, Mr Shepherd Tundiya.

Rushambwa was dismissed from work by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) following a disciplinary hearing on June 1 last year which found him guilty and recommended his dismissal.

NehandaRadio