Former Zimbabwe Power Company Board Chair, Kazhanje has been sentenced to three years in prison after being convicted of accepting a US$10 000 bribe from ex-convict and Managing Director of Intratek Zimbabwe, Wicknell Chivhayo.
The bribe is alleged to be Chivhayo’s way to influence Kazhanje’s decisions in the Gwanda multimillion-dollar Solar project which is yet to commence since 2016.
Kazhanje will, however, spend only one year in jail after two years were suspended on condition of good behaviour.
The State, represented by prosecutor Brian Vito pleaded with the court to give Kazhanje a stiffer penalty as a way of showing intolerance to corruption which is highly entrenched in high offices in government. Vito said:
There’s a declaration made by the State, Zero tolerance to corruption and thus a record must be set that the courts are fighting corruption.
The penalty of corruption usually attracts a custodial sentence and if the court act otherwise the general impression will remain that Zimbabwe accepts corruption.
More: Zim Morning Post