HARARE, July 20 (Xinhua) -- A Zimbabwean court on Friday sentenced former energy minister Samuel Undenge in former president Robert Mugabe's government to four years in jail for abuse of office.

The former minister will serve two years and half year behind bars after one and half years were suspended on condition of good behavior.

Samuel Undenge becomes the first former cabinet minister in Mugabe's administration to be jailed for a corruption related offence by the new government of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

A Harare magistrate found Undenge guilty of the charge which stems from claims that he violated tender procedures for a parastatal that fell under his ministry.

The magistrate said Undenge, who denied the allegations throughout his trial, knowingly committed the offence.

Mnangagwa's government has declared zero tolerance to corruption and has singled out the fight against graft as one of his administration's top priorities.