Chimombe, Mpofu Challenge Fraud Convictions

Jailed ZANU PF members Mike Chimombe and his business associate Moses Mpofu are set to appear in court on Wednesday before Justice Pisirayi Kwenda, where they will launch a fresh bid for freedom following their fraud convictions.

Chimombe and Mpofu were sentenced to 12 and 17 years in prison, respectively, after being found guilty of defrauding the government in a US$87 million Presidential Goat Scheme tender.

On 29 December last year, their lawyers applied for leave to appeal both the convictions and the sentences, arguing that the High Court had misdirected itself by finding them guilty when the essential elements of fraud had not been proven.

Chimombe’s lawyers also contended that the 12-year sentence was excessively harsh and had caused their client considerable shock.

The court has set 7 January for the hearing of the application for leave to appeal. If granted, the two will take their case to the Supreme Court.

If leave is refused, the two will have to appeal the decision at the Supreme Court.

More: NewsDay

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