Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu, businessmen already facing fraud charges, have been arrested again by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC). This new arrest is linked to allegations of using false documents in a tender application.
Previously, Chimombe and Mpofu were in custody due to accusations involving $7 million from the Presidential Goat Scheme. They had sought bail pending trial, but their recent arrest complicates their chances of release.
The recent charges stem from a tender application they submitted for the Harare City Council’s street light rehabilitation project. The ZACC claims that Chimombe and Mpofu misrepresented their compliance with legal requirements and submitted a falsified financial report purportedly audited by a non-registered consultancy. This development came to light as part of the ongoing investigation into their business dealings.
Chimombe and Mpofu Face New Charges for Tender Fraud; Harare Officials Arrested in Corruption Scandal
In connection with the street lights scandal, five Harare City Council officials have also been arrested. These officials are accused of improperly awarding a $9.2 million contract to an ineligible company.
The individuals include Never Murerwa, Jabulani Mukomazi, Denford Zhungu, Tawanda Mutenhabundo, and Hosiah Chisango, the town clerk. Their arrest adds a new dimension to the scandal, highlighting issues of corruption within the local government.
The five officials are facing charges of criminal abuse of office, with their bail denied last week by Harare regional magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa. The magistrate ruled that their release could interfere with the ongoing investigations, underscoring the severity of the case and the potential for further legal ramifications.
The escalating scandal involving Chimombe, Mpofu, and the Harare City Council officials underscores the broader issues of corruption and mismanagement in Zimbabwe. The legal troubles for all parties involved suggest a complex web of deceit and regulatory breaches that may lead to more serious consequences as investigations continue.
