Former MDC-T Mabvuku/Tafara MP Timothy Mubhawu yesterday accused Chief Magistrate Mishrod Guvamombe of interfering and influencing the proceedings in his criminal case, leading to his conviction.
BY DESMOND CHINGARANDE
Mubhawu, who is being charged with contempt of court over allegation of assaulting his wife, Molleen Elizabeth, appeared before magistrate Gideon Ruvetsa.
The former MP asked the magistrate if it was procedural for Guvamombe to keep his (Mubhawu) docket instead of it being kept by the clerk of court.
“Your worship, I came in the morning and I was told that my file was taken, on November 8, by the chief magistrate and I do not know if it is procedural for my file to be kept there,” Mubhawu said.
“Guvamombe is using his influence and position to determine the outcome of my case. Guvamombe was paid by my estranged wife’s boyfriend to influence the magistrates to convict me. He is now asking former magistrate Douglas Chikwekwe, who is now with the Gweru City Council, to come and preside over the matter.
“I wrote a letter of complaint to (Judicial Service Commission secretary) Justice Rita Makarau over the matter and it seems he was paid handsomely to convict me,” Mubhawu said.
However, Ruvetsa told Mubhawu that he had noted his complaint and asked him to proceed to provincial magistrate Elisha Singano to lodge the same complaint.
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Ruvetsa remanded the matter to November 29 for trial.
Allegations against the former MP are that on May 24 last year, his wife applied for a protection order and after two days he was served with summons to attend court on June 21, but both parties did not show up.
The State alleges on June 6, 2016 Molleen went back to the civil court and was given August 1 as the other court date. The State alleges on July 11, Molleen went to Rhodesville Police Station and reported that Mubhawu had chased her away from their matrimonial home and she was now staying with relatives.
On the same day, Mubhawu is said to have escorted their housemaid, Mupangai Tsamwa Chamapiwa, to report an assault charge against Molleen, but he was given protection order papers to sign and he refused.
Audrey Chogumaira appeared for the State.
