By Staff Reporter
A magistrate stationed in Bulawayo has been arrested and put to her defence facing charges of criminal abuse of duty as defined in Section 174 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23.
Evia Matura, a 47 year old woman employed by the Judicial Service Commission as a Provincial Magistrate at Tredgold Magistrates’ Court, Bulawayo, was placed on remand on Saturday, 19th of July 2025. She is facing charges of Criminal Abuse of Duty as defined in Section 174 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23.
Charges against the 47 year old Evia Matura are stemming from an incident on the 2nd of July 2025, at Tredgold Magistrates’ Court, Bulawayo. Matura, who was presiding over case CRB ACC 17/2025, is alleged to have unlawfully and unprocedurally remanded Obert Manduna out of custody from Khami Remand Prisons.
This action was allegedly contrary to her duties, as she had previously denied Manduna bail on 25th of June 2025, for the same case. The state is alleging that she did this knowing that no new application for bail had been heard on changed circumstances and no bail receipt or High Court order for Manduna’s release had been presented to her. The State alleges that Matura’s actions were for the purpose of showing favor to Obert Manduna, leading to his release.
She has been granted a bail of $200 with conditions including reporting once a fortnight at ZACC, not nterference with witnesses, reside at given address and not to visiting Tredgold Magistrates’ Court