Deputy AG laments lenient sentences

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DEPUTY Attorney-General Florence Ziyambi has raised alarm over magistrates who give lenient sentences saying this undermines the work of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

DEPUTY Attorney-General Florence Ziyambi has raised alarm over magistrates who give lenient sentences saying this undermines the work of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). BATANAI MUTASA Own correspondent

Speaking at the NPA’s inaugural workshop at a Bulawayo hotel at the weekend, Ziyambi said some of the light sentences bordered on corruption.

“Some of the sentences border on corruption and my office is inundated with such complaints,” she said.

“Most beneficiaries of this are people convicted of fraud involving huge sums of money, but they get wholly suspended sentences.”

In response, Judge President Justice George Chiweshe said he could not explain or defend the magistrates as the allegations had not been brought before him.

“However, I will confess that it is a double-edged sword because we say that the magistrates must be independent and we cannot, therefore, tell them how to pass judgment,” he said.

“Your concerns can be brought forward by way of review.

Chiweshe, on the other hand, complained about the conduct of some prosecutors who he said were not carrying out their duties effectively.

“They can go to court unprepared, which leads to unnecessary delays and postponements, even where the papers are in order there are unnecessary mistakes like grammatical errors,” he said.

“There is also a tendency to ignore mental patients, who then spend too much time in jail. For example, in applications for bail, legally able persons are usually given first preference.”

Chiweshe said there was also concern that junior prosecutors were not adequately supervised, as in some cases some would even fail to produce exhibits.

The NPA workshop is meant to educate its members on their mandate.

The NPA is responsible for instituting and undertaking criminal prosecutions on behalf of the State and discharging any function that may be necessary as directed by the NPA Act, which was signed into law earlier this year.