Magistrate arrested for criminal abuse of office

BULAWAYO Provincial magistrate, Stephen Ndlovu has appeared in court facing charges of criminal abuse of office involving a vehicle theft case.

Ndlovu was on the opposite end of the chair that he usually sits in when he appeared in court accused of criminal abuse of office after he allegedly ordered the unprocedural release of a vehicle that was being held at Mzilikazi police station as an exhibit in a car theft case.

The vehicle was allegedly used by suspected carjackers and was not supposed to have been released until the conclusion of the case.

However, Ndlovu allegedly instructed the release of the vehicle after an application by one Noah Whambe through his legal representatives.

The magistrate was arrested after it was discovered that there was an order prohibiting the release of the vehicle until the finalisation of the matter.

He was granted bail and is expected to report once every fortnight at Mzilikazi police station.