BULAWAYO magistrate Evia Matura is in trouble after she removed Citizens Coalition for Change activist Obert Manduna, one of the legislators who were recalled by Sengezo Tshabangu, from custody.
This was revealed in a National Prosecution Authority of Zimbabwe statement released on Monday this week.
Matura appeared in court on July 19 and was granted US$200 bail.
The court ordered that she must not interfere with witnesses, reside at the given address and not visit Tredgold Magistrates’ Court.
She was also ordered to report once a fortnight at the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission offices.
The State alleges that Matura (47), employed by the Judicial Service Commission as a provincial magistrate at Tredgold Magistrates’ Court in Bulawayo, is facing a charge of criminal abuse of duty as defined in section 174 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
It is the State’s case that on July 2 this year, Matura, who was presiding over case CRB ACC 17/2025, is alleged to have unlawfully and unprocedurally remanded Manduna, who was incarcerated at Khami Remand Prisons, out of custody.
“This action was allegedly contrary to her duties, as she had previously denied Manduna bail on 25 June 2025, for the same case,” Zacc said in the statement.
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“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 showed favour to Manduna, leading to his release.
