Two officials linked to the courts in Bulawayo have been convicted in a bribery scandal after they allegedly duped a man into paying nearly US$2 000 in exchange for help with a civil case.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), the Tredgold Magistrates’ Court recently convicted 63-year-old Ceasar Nkomo, an assessor at the Bulawayo High Court, and Shingirai Mupunga (29), a research assistant at the same court, on charges of fraud and alternatively bribery.
The court heard that between November 2024 and February 2025, the pair misled Solomon Ndlovu by claiming they could facilitate the reinstatement of his civil matter before the courts.
Investigations revealed that Nkomo introduced Mupunga to Ndlovu as the court “Registrar”. The duo allegedly demanded and received US$1 974, claiming the money was for search fees and as an inducement for a presiding judge.
However, call records, EcoCash transaction statements, WhatsApp chats and text messages presented in court exposed the scheme.
Nkomo was ultimately convicted on the alternative charge of bribery and sentenced to eight years in prison. Two years of the sentence were suspended for five years, while a further one year was suspended on condition that restitution is made to the complainant.
He will therefore serve an effective five-year jail term.
Meanwhile, Mupunga is now the subject of a warrant of arrest after failing to appear before the court.
The NPAZ said the conviction sends a strong warning against corruption within the justice system.
“Corruption within the justice delivery system is treated with utmost seriousness. The courts will not hesitate to impose custodial sentences where public trust is abused,” the authority said.
