By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
The High Court has reserved its ruling on a fresh bail application filed by business partners Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu, who are at the center of a scandal involving the Presidential Goat Pass-On Scheme.
Justice Pisirayi Kwenda presided over the two-day hearing and is set to deliver his judgment on January 15.
During the proceedings, Justice Kwenda emphasized the importance of taking sufficient time to carefully consider the arguments presented by both the defense and the prosecution before making a decision.
The defence, led by Professor Lovemore Madhuku and Advocate Tapson Dzvetero, urged the court to treat the bail application as a new matter. They argued that the prosecution had not established any compelling grounds that would justify the continued detention of Chimombe and Mpofu.
“The State bears the burden of proving why bail should not be granted,” the defence asserted.
Conversely, the prosecution, represented by Mr. Whisper Mabhaudhi, contended that the issue had previously been resolved in an earlier bail ruling.
Mabhaudhi maintained that there were no new developments that warranted a fresh application for bail and highlighted that both accused remained a flight risk, especially given recent developments in their case.
After carefully considering the arguments from both sides, Justice Kwenda indicated that he would require additional time to deliberate on the matter, reaffirming the complexity of the case.
Chimombe and Mpofu are facing serious allegations of defrauding the Presidential Goat Pass-On Scheme to the tune of US$7.7 million, making the outcome of the bail application a significant point of interest as the proceedings continue.