Harare — A Harare man who was jailed for 20 months after selling firearm ammunition to members of the public has appealed against his sentence, saying that it was too severe in the circumstances.

Tichaona Kamikani (31), together with his co-accused Martin Chinomona, last week pleaded guilty to possession of firearm ammunition without licences when they appeared before magistrate Mr Kudakwashe Jarabini.

Mr Jarabini sentenced him to 24 months imprisonment but suspended four months conditionally.

Ms Patience Chimusaru prosecuted.

Kamikani is a senior security officer in the President's Office stationed in Tsholotsho.

In an appeal filed at the High Court, Kamikani -- through his lawyers Mambosasa Legal Practitioners -- said the magistrate had misdirected himself by not considering that he was a first offender.

"The learned magistrate erred in not considering a fine as a form of punishment or any lesser penalty than imprisonment and in not placing weight on the appellant's plea of guilty.

"Wherefore appellant prays for an order setting aside the whole sentence of the magistrate court and in its place it be ordered that appellant pays a fine in accordance with the Firearms Act Chapter 10:19," argued the lawyers.