HARARE – A public prosecutor based at the National Prosecuting Authority’s head office in Harare has been slapped with a 20-year jail sentence by a Harare Regional magistrate after being convicted for corruption.
In a statement Monday, NPA said Henry Mugove Muringani was handed the punitive sentence for four counts of Criminal Abuse of Office.
Muringani was found guilty on the 28th of March 2023 of unlawfully preparing bail applications for suspects Tatenda Tawanda Mutengo, Bill Tirihama, Edwin Muchangwa and Prosper Chidaushe whose bail applications had initially been dismissed by the High Court due to the seriousness of the charges.
Muringani drafted the bail applications on behalf of the accused persons on less serious charges which were false to make the inmates eligible for bail.
He supported the false charges with fabricated documents, incorporating the charge sheet and state outline based on non-existent facts, complainants and witnesses.
The four inmates then presented the applications before the High Court appearing as self-actors.
Muringani communicated with the suspects’ relatives who in turn paid him some cash for his services.
He charged them various amounts ranging from US$200 to US$500.
In so doing, the accused person abused his public office to show favour to the inmates and prejudiced the Prosecutor General of Zimbabwe, according to NPA.
“His duties were to defend and oppose the bail applications of the inmates as instructed by his principal.
“His conduct was contrary to his duties as a public officer,” said NPA.
Muringani was sentenced to five years for each count. Of the 20 years, 8 years were suspended.
He will serve 12 years effectively.
In an ongoing campaign against corruption, the NPA has warned the public against paying its officers for any services related to court processes.
