Ngoni Dapira

“Please Magistrate I’m living under unbearable conditions. I will not last another week in prison,” was the plea of 32 years old Shanawaz Abdul Karim (Junior) after Mutare Magistrate Honest Masiiwa further remanded him in custody at Mutare Remand Prison.

Karim (Jnr) appeared before Magistrate Masiiwa today (Monday) after being arrested on Saturday facing contempt of court charges. According to the State outline he was supposed to have relinquished original title deeds for an immovable commercial property stand number 41 Tembwe Street in Mutare, to his father Shanawaz Abdul Karim (Senior).

“He was supposed to have handed over original title deeds in terms of a civil court ruling, so he is facing contempt of court charges through order MTCG 711/25,” said prosecutor Brighton Garikai Chiromo.

Karim (Jnr) pleaded not guilty to the charges and asked if he could see any of his Indian family members to help resolve the matter. Magistrate Masiiwa remanded him in custody pending trial on 28 November.

The 32 years old left the dock almost in tears as he begged for leniency citing that this was more of a family matter and he had not been accorded the opportunity for any legal representation because he does not know how the process works, also claiming that he was abruptly arrested.

In Zimbabwe, contempt of court charges can result from disobeying a court order, which is considered a criminal offense and can be prosecuted by the Attorney-General. Penalties include a fine, imprisonment for up to one year, or both, though imprisonment is typically reserved for repeat offenders or serious infractions.