Supreme Court judge, Justice Francis Bere has been automatically suspended from duty pending the outcome of the tribunal’s investigation after he allegedly interfered in a civil case involving the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) and his relatives.
It is alleged that Justice Bere called ZINARA lawyer, Mr Itai Ndudzo, asking him to consider settling a civil dispute pitting Zinara and Fremus Enterprises. Bere is denying the allegations describing the complaint against him as a falsehood meant to taint his clean record.
His suspension was confirmed by the spokesperson of the Judicial Service Commission Mr Brian Nkiwane. Mr Nkiwane said:
The suspension will only end after the President (Emmerson Mnangagwa) revokes it, following recommendations by the tribunal.
He was suspended after the President Mnangagwa set up a three-member tribunal chaired by retired judge Justice Simbi Mubako to enquire into the judge’s fitness to continue holding judicial office.
Justice Bere denied the allegations saying that he only contacted Mr Ndudzo in the context of their personal relationship dating back to the days when they were both members of the Zimbabwe Football Association Ethics Committee.
More: The Herald