Harare (New Ziana)-Former Energy and Power Development Minister Samuel Undenge was on Friday jailed for an effective two and half years for criminal abuse of office.

Undenge was convicted of criminal abuse of office for hand-picking a public relations company owned by former Zanu PF Member of Parliament Psychology Maziwisa and former Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation news anchor Oscar Pambuka for a consultancy job for the Zimbabwe Power Company without going to tender during his tenure in Cabinet.

The company, Fruiftul Communications was paid US$12 659 for the consultancy job.

Undenge was arrested on Thursday following a warrant of arrest issued on him on June 11 after the High Court rejected his appeal against a 2018 conviction which found that his initial sentence was not excessive and did not induce any sense of shock and outrage.

Initially, Harare Magistrate Hosea Mujaya jailed Undenge for four years, but suspended part of his sentence leaving the former Minister to serve an effective two- and half years.

On Friday, Undenge appeared before Harare Magistrate Trynos Utahwashe who sent him away to begin his sentence.

Undenge’s lawyer, Alec Muchadehama said his client would appeal against the High Court’s ruling at the Supreme Court.

New Ziana