Former Minister Machaya completes jail term

Gweru (New Ziana) –Former Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Jason Machaya was this month released from prison after completing his 30 months jail sentence following his conviction for criminal abuse of office.

Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Services (ZPCS) Officer Commanding Midlands province Commissioner Somemore Gate dismissed reports that Machaya was a beneficiary of the Presidential Amnesty.

“Yes, Machaya is now out. He completed his term. He actually served his term,” he said.

At least 4 270 inmates were released from prisons across the country under the Presidential Clemency Order Number 1 of 2023 which was gazetted on May 12 this year.

Machaya and former Midlands physical planner Chaisayanyerwa Chibururu were in September 2020 sentenced to four years in prison after they were found guilty of abuse of office involving the sale of state land in Gokwe.

Gwanda Provincial Magistrate Charity Maphosa however, suspended eighteen months on condition the two do not commit a similar crime in two years.

Machaya was convicted of allocating 17 799 residential and commercial stands to land developers in return gave for 1 791 stands from which he sold 1 185.

He was also charged with allocating 192 stands to the Apostolic Christian Church of Zimbabwe (ACCZ) when he did not have the authority to do so.

New Ziana