President Emmerson Mnangagwa has fired High court judge based in Bulawayo, Justice Thompson Mabhikwa after a tribunal set up to investigate his conduct recommended his removal from office for s3xual harassment and possession of pornographic material, among other acts of misconduct.
This arose after nude pictures of Justice Mabhikwa and one of his female subordinates went viral on social media.
In a statement dated April 12, 2022, Deputy Chief Justice Elizabeth Gwaunza said Justice Mabhikwa should return all government property within the next two weeks.
“I attach a letter from the Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet, the contents of the letter are for your attention,” Justice Gwaunza wrote.
“In light of the contents, you are required within two weeks of the date of this letter to surrender to the registrar of the High Court the motor vehicles in your possession, being a Land Rover Discovery 5 AES 8243 and Mercedes-Benz E300 AFK 6148.”
“You can retain the iPad, laptop, cellphone and mobile line given to you, subject to it being converted into a private line.”
Mnangagwa has since proclaimed that the tribunal should also “investigate whether or not the judge (a) committed acts of s3xual harassment (b) possessed pornographic material and to investigate any other matter which the tribunal may deem appropriate and relevant to the question of removal from office of a judge in terms of the law”.
