GRACE ZVENYIKA
HARARE-Former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, Francis Gudyanga who jailed for criminal abuse of office in 2022 has been released on Presidential amnesty last week.
Last week, President Mnangagwa released over 4000 convicted inmates on amnesty in order to decongest the over-crowded jails in the country.
Gudyanga was serving two and a half years for abuse of office at the Harare Central Prison.
He was convicted for defrauding a parastatal under his Ministry, Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) US$25 228.
Speaking to The Midweek soon after his release Gudyanga said he was grateful for his treatment while in prison and paid tribute to friends and relatives who visited him, while serving time.
“We want to thank our families, friends and well-wishers for their support and prayers and their visits, but also we want to thank the prison officers who looked after us very well.
“I also appreciate the companionship of our fellow inmates,” said Gudyanga.
Zimbabwe’s prisons have a carrying capacity of 17 000 inmates but were holding more than 22 000 convicts.
