Chimombe And Mpofu Trial Set for March

Zimbabwean News You Can Trust

The State, led by prosecutor Anesu Chirenje, is ready to commence the trial of Zanu PF central committee member Mike Chimombe and his business partner Moses Mpofu in connection with a USD 9 million street lights tender scam.

The case has been indicted to the High Court, with the trial scheduled to begin on March 24 this year.

The accused, represented by Arshiel Mugiya, were informed of the trial date on Friday when they appeared before Magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa.

According to the State’s case, in January last year, Harare City Council decided to rehabilitate its street lights in preparation for the Sadc Summit held in the capital in August.

The council invited bids, and eleven companies, including Juluka Endo Joint Venture (Pvt) Ltd, co-owned by Mpofu, submitted proposals for the project.

The tender documents required all prospective bidders to provide stamped audited financial statements for the past two years and proof of payment for special procurement oversight committee and administration fees, among other stipulations.

Prosecutor Anesu Chirenje informed the court that on April 19 last year, an evaluation committee awarded eight lots to four companies for the rehabilitation of the streetlights.

Mpofu’s company initially failed to meet the requirements because its audited statements lacked an audit opinion. However, the council subsequently invited Mpofu’s company to submit a new bid. The company allegedly resubmitted its bid using falsified documents and won the tender.

The State alleges that Chimombe signed as a witness to the transaction, resulting in a part payment of USD 260,000.

Mpofu and Chimombe have been in remand prison since June last year, as the courts continue to deny them bail due to the seriousness of the offense.

Source Newsday