Former Minister Appeal Dismissed by Supreme Court
Conviction Stands
by Priviledge Zviregei
Former Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, Petronella Kagonye, has suffered another blow as her appeal in the Supreme Court has been wholly dismissed. This comes after she had previously lost her appeal in the lower court.Kagonye, a former Cabinet Minister, was found guilty of diverting 20 computers that had been donated by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ). These computers were intended to benefit schools in her Goromonzi South constituency. In June 2022, she was sentenced to 36 months in prison, with 12 months suspended on the condition of good behavior for five years. Additionally, a further 8 months of her sentence were suspended on the condition that she restitutes $10,000 USD, which was the value of the missing laptops.The High Court, during the trial, emphasized that two of the laptops had been given to two tertiary students at a rally, while one laptop had been donated to a school for the physically impaired in Ruwa. These actions were deemed to be in violation of the trust agreement that Kagonye had entered into with POTRAZ.The Supreme Court, in its ruling, upheld the conviction and sentence handed down by the High Court and the trial court, the Magistrates Court. Consequently, Kagonye remains convicted and will serve the remaining duration of her sentence.This dismissal by the Supreme Court underscores the seriousness of Kagonye’s actions and serves as a reminder that public officials are expected to uphold the trust placed in them. The case also highlights the importance of ensuring that donated resources reach the intended beneficiaries and are not misappropriated for personal gain.It also marks a significant milestone in the fight against corruption in Zimbabwe. It sends a clear message that no one is above the law, regardless of their position or influence, and that justice will prevail.
