Harare — John Chirenje (38), the Harare man found guilty of producing uncertified maize seed as the legitimate article and which was recovered at a Tynwald house early this month, will spend the next three years behind bars.

Chirenje pleaded guilty to fraud charges when he appeared before magistrate Mr Munamato Mutevedzi.

He pleaded with the court to give him a light sentence, arguing that there was no actual prejudice and that he was his family's sole breadwinner.

However, in aggravation, the prosecutor Mr Nathaniel Chigoro urged the court to impose a custodial sentence because Chirenje's activities hindered national efforts to regain Zimbabwe's breadbasket status.

He said Zimbabwe's economy was based on agriculture and the Government was busy sourcing farming inputs at great cost.

"The accused has demonstrated unprecedented selfishness. He was concerned about his economic well-being at the expense of the nation," Mr Chigoro said.

In passing sentence, Mr Mutevedzi concurred with the State and sentenced Chirenje to four years imprisonment.

One year was, however, suspended.

The agreed facts are that on November 2 this year, the complainant -- Mr Lee Takura -- employed by Seed Co as a sales agronomist received information that Chirenje was selling uncertified maize seed at house number 2074 in Tynwald South, Harare.

He made a police report.

Police went to Chirenje's business premises in Tynwald where they found about 740kg of uncertified maize seed that was packaged as a Seed Co product.

Chirenje used paint tint to colour ordinary maize so that it looked like genuine maize seed before he packed it.

After colouring the uncertified maize seed Chirenje would sell it to the public, purporting that it was genuine Seed Co Ltd Sc513.

The uncertified maize seed was packed in 10kg and 25kg bags.

Police also recovered the tints used in colouring the maize seed.

As a result, the State suffered a potential prejudice of US$1 480.