Chivayo Partners Bail Appeal Dismissed Without Reason
23 January 2025
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No joy for Mpofu and Chimombe, bail appeal on streetlights tender fraud thrown out

By Court Reporter | ZimEye | Embattled partners of the cash splurging “belly-on-air” Wicknell Chivayo, Moses Mpofu and Mike Chimombe had their bail appeal in the case they are accused of US$9 million streetlights tender fraud dismissed by the High Court.

High Court judge Benjamin Chikowero ruled that the two should remain locked up but did not give reasons for his ruling.

“Full reasons of the judgement will follow,” said the judge.

Tapson Dzvetero who is representing Mpofu said they will take instructions from their clients once a full judgement is released.

The two were arrested in June last year on allegations of defrauding government of US$7 million in a foiled Presidential Goat Scheme.

While locked up, the street lights allegations arose and they were rearrested.

All their attempts to secure bail have been unsuccessful.

Their new charge is related to the US$9.2 million fraud case that got Harare City Council town clerk Hosea Chisango and five others arrested.

It is the State’s case that Chimombe and Mpofu presented fake documents when they applied for a council tender to rehabilitate the capital’s dilapidated street lights in May this year.

Their financial report was also signed by a non-existent firm.

The two acting for Juluka Enndo Joint Venture misrepresented that they were compliant with the provisions of Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets General Regulations by resubmitting a receipt which they had used in an earlier bid in which their company had been disqualified.

“The accused also allegedly submitted a financial report claiming it was audited by a consultancy company which investigations have revealed is not registered.”

According to the statement, Chimombe and Mpofu went as far as misrepresenting that they had undertaken similar work for Harare City Council in the past.

They were then awarded the tender based on the false information supplied.-ZimEye