THE High Court yesterday dismissed former Labour Minister Petronella Kagonye’s bail pending appeal with the court not convinced that she has prospects of succeeding on appeal against conviction
Justice Pisirayi Kwenda, ruled that the bail bid was devoid of merit, dismissing the bail pending appeal adding that the court was ready now to hear the appeal, so there was not going to be much delay.
“In this case, I conclude that the touted prospects of appeal are fanciful and unlikely to carry the day at the determination of the applicant’s appeal,” said the judge. “In any event the applicant failed to make a firm commitment that she will abide by the sentence if her appeal does not succeed.”
The judge noted that Kagonye’s appeal was ready to be heard on the merits and the court was ready and available to hear the matter without delay.
“The issue for determination is very narrow. Judgement is not likely to be delayed. In the result I order that the application be dismissed,” Kwenda said.
Kangonye was appealing against conviction and sentence for stealing 20 laptops meant to benefit schools but the court said she was unlikely to succeed.
The former minister was in June this year slapped with an effective 16-month jail term for stealing 20 laptops in a corruption case linked to criminal abuse of public office, and has launched an appeal to the High Court and applied for bail.
