Business partners Moses Mpofu and Mike Chimombe, currently in detention, testified before the High Court on Tuesday, alleging that a significant portion of the funds from a US$40 million tender for election materials was channeled to unnamed government officials.
This contract had been awarded to ex-tenderpreneur Wicknell Chivayo.
Mpofu and Chimombe, arrested in June on fraud charges related to the Presidential Goat Scheme, claim they are being targeted for revealing audio recordings that shed light on alleged irregularities in the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) tender process.
The two expressed frustration over the distribution of funds after securing the contract to supply ballot papers for the 2023 harmonized elections, stating that Chivayo indicated they would not receive an equitable share as he had to “settle obligations with his government contacts.”
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In seeking to refer their case to the Constitutional Court, the partners told High Court Judge Pisirayi Kwenda that they were collaborating with Chivayo and a South African firm, Ren-Form CC. The partners said they were in China when the audio went viral, after which they were informed of a summons by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC).
They further stated that while ZACC chair Michael Reza publicly suggested that Chivayo was also wanted for questioning, he has yet to be summoned. Mpofu and Chimombe reported that, upon arriving at ZACC’s offices, they anticipated discussing the ZEC tender but were instead charged with fraud in connection to the goat scheme.
“We assumed the focus would be on the ZEC matter, but we were confronted with allegations related to goats,” Chimombe explained, led by his lawyer Ashiel Mugiya. Mpofu echoed this sentiment, stating that Chivayo had informed them of an unequal distribution of funds, with most of the money allocated to government officials.
Mpofu recounted that he queried ZACC investigator Henry Chapwanya about the ZEC-related inquiry, only to be told that it was outside his jurisdiction. The partners further alleged that Reza’s involvement affected their bail outcome, despite earlier indications of bail approval.
Mpofu expressed concern, describing how Reza’s presence at the magistrates’ court and interactions with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) ultimately led to their bail being denied. He also noted that their attorneys retained documentation to demonstrate what they see as Reza’s interference.
State representative Witness Mabhaudhi argued that the prosecutor general has the authority to alter bail decisions. The case remains under review.
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