The High Council of the Judiciary has dismissed three court officials and suspended two others for misconduct related to failure to adapt to new technology used in the juctice system. A session of the High Council of the Judiciary, which was chaired by Chief Justice Domitilla Mukantaganzwa, on February 28 resolved to dismiss Jerome Mwiseneza, former Chief Registrar of Gatunda Primary Court for corruption-related misconduct. ALSO READ: Over 50 discharged from judiciary over corruption related offenses in 18 years Dan Hategekimana, a former Judge at Ngoma Intermediate Court, was dismissed for issuing verdicts in 314 unrecorded cases. These cases were not entered in the Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS) within the legally required timeframe; while Djuma Habimana, former President of the Chamber of the High Court of Rusizi, was dismissed for issuing ruling in 391 unrecorded cases and failing to file them into IECMS within the required period. ALSO READ: Chief Justice announces crackdown on corrupt ‘middlemen’ Athanase Bakuzakundi, president of the Chamber of the High Court of Nyanza, received a three-month suspension without pay for failing to file copies of 318 cases in IECMS on time and François Songa Batsinduka, president of Nyarugenge Primary Court, was suspended for five months without pay, effective from October 4, 2024, to March 3, after being convicted of misconduct deemed unbecoming of a judge. Meanwhile, the council also made appointments and mandate extensions for judges and other court officials. The council extended the mandate of Vérène Muhimpundu, president of a Primary Court, that of Alphonsine Imanzi Murebwayire, president of a High Court, and Eugène Rusanganwa, president of a High Court. Madeleine Gatoni and Claudine Uwamahoro were appointed legal researchers at the Supreme Court. Stéphanie Ingabire, Alphonsine Uwizeye, and Aline Musabyemariya were named as registrars. Beatrice Cyiza was appointed a judge at the Commercial Court, and Florence Uwimana a judge at an Intermediate Court and Françoise Batamuriza a registrar at an Intermediate Court. The Primary Court appointments include seven judges, nine chief registrars, and 32 registrars. The council also resolved to grant an indefinite leave of absence to Vedaste Mporansenga, a judge at the primary court of Nyarugenge and to permanently employ one judge and 15 primary court registrars who had completed their probationary terms. The council also confirmed successful candidates for registrar positions in primary courts who are governed by the contracts, and approved transfers of some judges and court clerks at their request while adjusting employment benefits for others.
