Former Chitungwiza Chamber Secretary Vengesai jail...

Former Chitungwiza Chamber Secretary Vengesai jailed for offering "thanks" cash to judge

Zim Now Writer

Former Chitungwiza Municipality Chamber Secretary Priscilla Vengesai has been jailed for an effective 15 months for offering to reward a High Court judge for judgement passed.

Vengesai was found guilty of attempting to compromise Justice Felistus Chatukuta who was handling a civil case in which she had an interest.

Vengesai was charged with bribery and was convicted by Harare regional magistrate Hoseah Mujaya, who sentenced her to two years in jail but suspended nine months on condition she is not dishonest when she comes out after serving the rest of the jail term.

Vengesai will serve an effective 15 months in prison.

The court heard that on May 28 2014, Justice Chatukuta met Vengesai at her workplace when the judge was in her private capacity processing a relative’s cession papers.

Justice Chatukuta asked for assistance, which Vengesai gave as part of her job, before they exchanged contact numbers for future communication.

On the following day, Vengesai sent a text message using her private mobile number to Justice Chatukuta asking to see her in connection with a case involving Avondale Holdings (Pvt) Ltd versus TM Supermarkets (Pvt) Ltd.

On June 26, 2014, Vengesai booked an appointment with Justice Chatukuta, asking to see her in chambers and the judge agreed.

Vengesai then indicated that she had come to deliver a token of appreciation from Avondale Holdings as a result of the judgment Justice Chatukuta had delivered in its favour against TM Supermarkets in case HC4018/14.

She also told justice Chatukuta that she was a friend to Avondale Holdings and had been sent to convey the token of appreciation to her before taking a wad of US dollars and extending them to the judge.

Justice Chatukuta turned down the payment and immediately made a complaint, resulting in Vengesai’s arrest.