Mpofu And Chimombe’s Application Denied

A request for further remand in a streetlight tender fraud case made by Mike Chimombe, a member of the Zanu PF central committee, and his accomplice Moses Mpofu was denied by Harare magistrate Taurai Manuwere yesterday.

Considering that the two should give the State time to thoroughly prepare its case in accordance with the law, magistrate Manuwere stated in his finding that it was premature for the two to submit such an application.

The duo, which is being represented by Tapson Dzvetero and Arshiel Mugiya, is facing allegations of submitting fake documents when it was bidding for the US$9 million Harare streetlighting rehabilitation tender.

It is the State’s case that in January this year, Harare City Council embarked on the rehabilitation of streetlights in preparation for the Sadc summit.

The court heard that council invited bids and 11 companies responded, including Juluka Endo Joint Venture (Pvt) Ltd, a company co-owned by Moses Mpofu.

The invitation to tender stipulated that all prospective bidders should provide stamped audited financial statements for the last two years.

The bid also required proof of payment of special procurement oversight committee and administration fees, among other requirements.

It is alleged that on April 19, 2024 an evaluation committee awarded four companies eight lots to rehabilitate the streetlights.