High Court Drama as Assessors Excused in Mpofu and Chimombe Fraud Trial
The high-profile fraud trial of business partners Moses Mpofu and Mike Chimombe took an unexpected turn yesterday, as the defense team successfully challenged the inclusion of two assessors. This legal maneuver led to the postponement of the trial until Monday next week.
Assessors Ousted in Controversial Ruling
In a decision that has further fueled the tension surrounding the case, Justice Pisirayi Kwenda upheld the defense’s objection and excused the assessors. Advocate Tapson Dzvetero, leading the defense team in the High Court, argued vehemently against the assessors’ involvement, asserting that it would be inappropriate for the trial. Justice Kwenda agreed, dismissing their presence and allowing the defense team to proceed with its objections.
Conflicting Legal Battles Unfold
Adding another layer of complexity to the case, Professor Lovemore Madhuku simultaneously pursued a bail appeal for the defendants in the Supreme Court. Justice Alfas Chitakunye, however, deferred the hearing, further delaying proceedings in this already protracted legal battle.
Mpofu and Chimombe have been engaged in a series of legal maneuvering since their formal arraignment on fraud charges in October 2024. Their previous attempts to elevate the case to the Constitutional Court in December – claiming fundamental rights violations – were rejected, paving the way for the trial to commence. Subsequently, their repeated bail applications, citing “changed circumstances,” have also been dismissed.
Serious Charges and Alleged Fraud Scheme
The two men face serious charges of orchestrating a large-scale fraud scheme in connection with the Presidential Goat Pass-On Scheme, a government initiative designed to benefit rural communities. The prosecution alleges that Mpofu and Chimombe forged compliance certificates from ZIMRA and NSSA under the name of Blackdeck Private Limited, aiming to secure a lucrative government contract for goat supplies.
Investigations have revealed that Blackdeck had been deregistered from the NSSA system as early as January 2016, casting serious doubt on the authenticity of the documents in question. These alleged forgeries, including QR codes and company identifiers linked to a separate unrelated business, were used fraudulently to gain access to the government tender.
Awaiting Trial Proceedings
The trial of Mpofu and Chimombe is expected to resume next week. As the legal strategies unfold and the courtroom drama continues, all eyes will be on the proceedings, waiting to see how this complex case will be resolved.
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