Former Deputy Finance Minister Terrence Mukupe’s appeal dismissed

The Supreme Court of Zimbabwe has dismissed an appeal by former Deputy Finance Minister Terrence Mukupe against his conviction and sentence for fuel smuggling.

Mukupe was found guilty by the High Court in November last year and sentenced to a three-year jail term and a fine of US$12,780.

Mukupe, along with his accomplices Same Kapisoriso, Joseph Taderera, and Leonard Mudzuto, was convicted of smuggling 138,979 liters of diesel.

High Court Judge Benjamin Chikowero initially sentenced each of them to three and a half years in prison, with six months suspended on condition that they do not commit a similar offense within five years.

Additionally, they were each fined US$2,780 or faced an alternative two-year prison sentence if the fine was not paid.

The charges against Mukupe and his co-accused included fraud and contravening section 174(1) of the Customs and Excise Act for false declaration.

Mukupe, currently serving a three-year jail sentence for fraud, has found a new purpose behind bars.

At Khami Maximum Prison in Bulawayo, Mukupe recently said he was sharing his expertise in finance and mathematics with fellow inmates, teaching commerce and providing guidance on entrepreneurship.

He expressed admiration for the facility’s focus on rehabilitation and the sense of brotherhood among inmates.

Mukupe praised Khami Prison as a model correctional facility, highlighting the professionalism and emphasis on inmate wellness. He also offered words of caution to the public, urging individuals to stay on the right side of the law.

“We have educational facilities here at Khami and being a Maths and Finance fundi, I have a group of inmates that I’m teaching the commerce subject,” he said.

“These days everyone aspires to be an entrepreneur and I find people coming to me and asking for advice on entrepreneurship and the things that they can do out there when they are released. So, I impart those skills that I have to my fellow inmates.”