Zimbabwe: Former Undenge Energy Minister Imprisoned

Samuel Undenge, former Minister of Energy and Energy Development, charged with harming the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) of $ 12,650, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison. Undenge appeared before the Harare Regional Magistrate Mr. Hoseah Mujaya facing charges of abuse of authority and was found guilty after a full trial.

He was sentenced to four years in prison, with a year and a half suspended.

Undenge in 2016 selected a public relations company owned by lawmaker zanu-pf Maziwisa Psychology and former news presenter ZBC Oscar Pambuka to do work for ZPC without going to the tender call.

sentence, his wife Letina remained calm in the gallery. Letina was however later seen complaining outside the courtroom

Undenge's attorney, Mr. Aleck Muchadehama, had proposed a $ 50 fine or $ 50. a community service

"Given the circumstances, the accused could have been accused of it has already attracted a lot of media exposure, which has been stressful for him, and so I propose that". a fine of $ 50 is appropriate for the case of default of payment or 30 days of imprisonment, "he said., Mr. Jonathan Murombedzi argued that the court should incarcerate Undenge to discourage corruption. He said that Undenge was trying to hide behind Pambuka and Maziwisa when he was actually guilty

"The guilt of the accused in the circumstances is very high, he was a good steward and he was minister in a wallet which involved the fight against corruption. 19659010] "He knew that dropping so low when dealing with Oscar Pambuka and Maziwisa Psychology was illegal.The fact that they went to him after the ZPC payments were stopped meant that he knew what he was doing. was happening, "said Murombedzi.

"A true minister would not have allowed his office to be used as a playground by Oscar and Maziwisa." As for the question of the message sent to the Zimbabwean public, how does the public perceive these questions is a way to see the honor and integrity.

Leaving people with cases like this has eroded the trust of our audience in the government

Mr. Murombedzi stated that Once an accused who has been a government official has been convicted, he can under no circumstances escape imprisonment.

He further proposed that Undenge be imprisoned for a period of time. five years had betrayed the trust that the Zimbabwean government had placed on him.

Mr. Mujaya ruled that the fact that only a few cases of corruption had been handled was humiliating to the justice system and Undenge should have at least apologize to the nation [19659006] Mr. Mujaya stated that community service for Undenge would be brought to court. He has contributed as a father, deputy and diplomat.

"However, the evidence showed that the accused favored his colleague zanu-pf, Mr. Maziwisa, and that this can not be ruled out.

" Investors will disappear if we continue to leave such things go (impunity). Corruption has denied the nation of good administration and no statistics are needed to determine the level of corruption in the country, "he said.

" Selective prosecutions can not be considered. As a result, the accused is sentenced to four years in prison. A year and a half is suspended provided that he does not commit the same crime. "