By Staff Reporter
HARARE — Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu, two prominent Zanu PF businessmen already in remand prison over an alleged US$7 million fraud related to a failed Presidential goat scheme, are now facing additional fraud charges linked to a separate US$9.2 million tender scam.
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) brought the new charges after the two were reportedly taken from their cells on Tuesday for further questioning. They are scheduled to appear in court on 31 July.
The latest charges stem from their involvement in a Harare City Council tender for the rehabilitation of the city’s dilapidated street lights. Chimombe and Mpofu, acting for their company Juluka Enndo Joint Venture, are accused of submitting fake documents to win the contract. Among the false documents presented were a financial report purportedly audited by a non-existent firm, and a receipt from a previous disqualified bid.
ZACC claims that the duo also misrepresented their company’s prior work with the Harare City Council, claiming experience in similar projects. The fraudulent submission resulted in them being awarded the tender, based on the misleading information.
The two businessmen have been in remand prison since their first arrest in June related to the Presidential goat scheme fraud. Despite attempts to secure bail, their applications were rejected by the Magistrates Court, and they now await their next legal steps at the High Court.
These new charges are part of an ongoing investigation into corruption at Harare City Council, which has already led to the arrest of town clerk Hosea Chisango and five others. The ZACC continues to investigate the broader fraud case involving US$9.2 million.