Chimombe, Mpofu freedom will disrupt SADC summit, court warned

By Staff Reporter

A Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) officer has told a Harare court not to free fraud suspects Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu as this could trigger public protests that can cause disruption to the upcoming SADC summit set to be hosted by Zimbabwe next month.

Henry Chapwanya was speaking in court on Monday while opposing an application for bail that has been filed by Chimombe and Mpofu.

“If released on bail, there will be protests which will undermine peace and security in the nation as the country is expecting to host the SADC summit in the next few weeks,” Chapwanya told the court being presided over by magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa.

Bail application for Chimombe and Mpofu continues this Tuesday.

The state is opposing bail citing a number of reasons.

Also testifying in court, ZACC investigating officer into the pair’s US$7 million fraud allegations Gamuchirai Zimunhu said the two were not proper candidates for bail as they had furnished a fake address as the place where their bogus Blackdeck Livestock and Poultry company.

The company was allegedly used by Chimombe and Mpofu to secure a goat supply tender from government.

Giving her evidence while being led by State prosecutor Anesu Chirenje, Gamuchirai Zimunhu opposed the bail application filed by the two.

She said Mpofu gave an address for a house in Harare’s Greendale suburb which is still under construction.

Controversial preacher Passion Java attended his friends’ bail hearing on Monday.