THE investigating officer in the case of Zanu PF central committee member Mike Chimombe and his business partner Moses Mpofu yesterday said the two should not be granted bail because they are economic saboteurs.
Appearing before regional magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa, investigating officer Henry Chapwanya argued that even if Mpofu surrendered the title deeds to his house, he would abscond trial, citing a South African case involving Malawian cleric Shepherd Bushiri, who evaded trial after tendering his property documents.
Mpofu and Chimombe are being represented by Tapson Dzvetero and Arshiel Mugiya, respectively.
Dzvetero argued that the investigating officer cannot dispute Mpofu’s address since he did not carry out a thorough inspection on the place of residence.
Dzvetero tendered the original title deed of Mpofu’s place of residence as an assurance that his client was not a flight risk.
However, Chapwanya dismissed the submissions, stating Blackdeck failed to supply the goats in the Presidential Goat Pass-on Scheme, forcing the government to look for another supplier to deliver them.
He said the government was bleeding financially because of the outstanding balance owed by Mpofu and Chimombe’s company.
Chapwanya said there were more than 12 witnesses lined up to testify against the two.
Chimombe and Mpofu were arraigned before the courts for allegedly defrauding government of more than US$7 million meant for the goat scheme. The matter was deferred to today for continuation of bail application.
Source | NewsDay
https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200029372/chimombe-mpofu-economic-saboteurs-zacc