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Justice Karwi confirms imprisonment of state prosecutor Kumire
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR)
October 27, 2009

High Court Judge Justice Tedious Karwi on Monday 26 October 2009 confirmed the conviction on contempt of court, and imprisonment sentence against Andrew Kumire, the state prosecutor in the ongoing trial of prominent human rights lawyer and Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) member, Alec Muchadehama.

Kumire had been convicted and sentenced to a five-day jail term by Harare Magistrate, Chiwoniso Mutongi on Thursday 22 October 2009 after he banged his hand on a desk and clicked his tongue in protest against an unfavourable ruling handed down against him by Magistrate Mutongi.

The law officer walked out of the court room in defiance of an order by Mutongi that he remain in the court room until the prison officer could come to take him to the cells. He sought sanctuary at the Attorney General's Office, and later evaded serving his time in jail after he was granted US$30 bail by Harare Provincial Magistrate Mishrod Guvamombe pending a review of his conviction.

However Kumire's freedom has proved to be short-lived, as Justice Karwi confirmed Magistrate Mutongi's ruling on the conviction and sentence. His review read: "Confirmed. Proceedings are in accordance with real and substantial justice".

It now remains to be seen whether the Magistrate's warrant of committal will be enforced in order for Kumire to serve his sentence.

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