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Chimombe, Mpofu sentencing further delayed
1 hr ago |
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The sentencing of Zanu-PF members Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu for their involvement in a US$7.7 million fraud has been postponed to November 28, allowing the State time to upload a victim impact statement ahead of the hearing.
The delay follows ongoing legal disputes between the defence and presiding judge Justice Pisirayi Kwenda. Last week, lawyers representing Chimombe and Mpofu attempted to halt the pre-sentencing proceedings, arguing that they needed the written judgment from their conviction to prepare submissions and intended to approach the Supreme Court to compel its release.
Justice Kwenda dismissed their application, insisting that the matter proceed and warning the defence team to attend the next hearing without fail. He further stated that the case would continue in their absence if necessary. The judge also advised the lawyers to access a record of the judgment through the court's YouTube channel, noting that they had not been prevented from taking notes during court proceedings or reviewing the online video.
Chimombe and Mpofu were convicted for their roles in a failed tender to supply 500,000 goats to the Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Ministry. The court found that the two had falsified a Zimbabwe Revenue Authority tax clearance certificate and a National Social Security Authority compliance certificate in the name of a non-existent company, Blackdeck Livestock & Poultry (Pvt) Ltd.
This misrepresentation led the State to award the multi-million-dollar tender to the fictitious company, resulting in a total loss of US$7,712,197.
The two have been in custody since their initial remand in June 2024.
The delay follows ongoing legal disputes between the defence and presiding judge Justice Pisirayi Kwenda. Last week, lawyers representing Chimombe and Mpofu attempted to halt the pre-sentencing proceedings, arguing that they needed the written judgment from their conviction to prepare submissions and intended to approach the Supreme Court to compel its release.
Justice Kwenda dismissed their application, insisting that the matter proceed and warning the defence team to attend the next hearing without fail. He further stated that the case would continue in their absence if necessary. The judge also advised the lawyers to access a record of the judgment through the court's YouTube channel, noting that they had not been prevented from taking notes during court proceedings or reviewing the online video.
This misrepresentation led the State to award the multi-million-dollar tender to the fictitious company, resulting in a total loss of US$7,712,197.
The two have been in custody since their initial remand in June 2024.
Source - Newsday
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