HARARE – Former Minister of Labour and Social Welfare Petronella Kagonye has exhausted all her appeals after the Supreme Court dismissed her challenge against her conviction and sentence.
Kagonye was found guilty in June 2022 of diverting 20 laptops donated by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) for schools in her Goromonzi South constituency.
She was sentenced to 36 months in prison, with 12 months suspended on good behavior and a further 8 months suspended on the condition of repaying US$10,000, the value of the laptops.
The High Court had previously upheld the conviction and sentence, rejecting Kagonye’s arguments. Evidence showed that two laptops were distributed to students at a rally, and another to a school for the disabled, all in breach of the agreement with POTRAZ.
The Supreme Court’s decision affirms the lower courts’ rulings, meaning Kagonye will serve the remaining portion of her sentence.
“The Supreme Court maintained that the High Court conviction and sentence were well and proper as was the conviction and sentence handed to her by the trial court, the Magistrates Court.
She therefore remains convicted and will serve the remainder of her sentence,” reads a statement by the National Prosecuting Authority.
Go to jail in peace