The High Court is set to deliver its ruling on Monday, 2 February, in the case of jailed business partners Moses Mpofu and Mike Chimombe, who are seeking leave to appeal to the Supreme Court.
The pair were convicted of defrauding the Government of more than US$7 million through the Presidential Goat Pass-On Scheme and are challenging both their convictions and sentences.
Justice Pisirayi Kwenda recently heard brief arguments from both the defence and the prosecution, confirming that written submissions had been filed. He reserved judgment, saying he needed time to consider the matter.
Mpofu and Chimombe were sentenced to 17 and 12 years in prison, respectively and are hoping to secure an opportunity to argue their appeal before the Supreme Court.
The ruling will determine whether they remain behind bars or are granted leave to challenge their convictions.
The State is opposing the application, arguing that the sentences were too lenient given the scale of the fraud. Prosecutors maintain that the penalties fail to reflect the seriousness of the offence or to act as a deterrent.
The defence, however, argues that the convictions are unsound, insisting that fraud was not proven and that the trial court misinterpreted the evidence. They also contend that the sentences are excessive and disproportionate.
Before being transferred to Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison, Mpofu and Chimombe spent 18 months in Harare Remand Prison.
More: The Herald
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