High Court dismisses bail appeal in US$9 million fraud case

Fidelis Munyoro
The legal battle for business partners Moses Mpofu and Mike Chimombe took another turn today as the High Court dismissed their bid for bail pending trial.
The duo stands accused of defrauding the City of Harare of a staggering US$9 million in a fraudulent streetlight tender deal.
Justice Benjamin Chikowero presided over the matter.
Advocate Tapson Dzvetero, who is representing Mpofu, told journalists outside the High Court: “Our appeal has been thrown out. The judge said the reasons will be made available in due course. We are now awaiting the judgment to determine our next course of action.”
The allegations that Mpofu and Chimombe are facing stem from the Harare City Council’s streetlight rehabilitation project that was initiated in January last year.
It is understood that the council got bids from 11 companies, including Mpofu’s Juluka Endo Joint Venture (Pvt) Ltd.
However, Mpofu’s company failed to meet the tender requirements, which included providing stamped audited financial statements for the last two years, proof of payment for the special procurement oversight committee, and administration fees.
Council officials allegedly permitted Mpofu to resubmit his bid. Mpofu allegedly then submitted falsified documents.