An association of magistrates in Zimbabwe has urged Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri to facilitate the released of a magistrate arrested this week for allegedly releasing a suspected rapist.
The Magistrates Association of Zimbabwe petitioned Chihuri following what it called the arbitrary arrest of Manicaland Provincial Magistrate Billiard Musakwa for unlawfully releasing Farai Rimayi, charged with rape.
The association said Musakwa acted according to the state’s suggestion after Chief Law Officer Michael Mugabe issued a statement detailing the reasons for declining to prosecute Rimayi.
Magistrates Association of Zimbabwe President Douglas Chikwekwe told VOA Studio 7 reporter Jonga Kandemiiri that their members will not be swayed by the bullying tactics of the police.