Regional Magistrate Stanford Mambanje reportedly rejected bail for two businessmen, Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu, implicated in a US$9.2 million tender scandal involving the installation of street lights in Harare.
Mpofu, the managing director and majority shareholder of Juluka Projects, and Chimombe, a company representative, allegedly used forged documents to secure the lucrative contract.
According to Zimpapers, in his ruling, Magistrate Mambanje deemed the duo unsuitable for bail, citing the strength of the State’s case against them.
The decision ensures that Chimombe and Mpofu will remain in custody pending the outcome of their trial, as the court seeks to prevent potential interference with the investigation and ensure their appearance in court.
“The two face a serious offence and upon conviction can get a custodial sentence. They can abscond since they are people of means as they have businesses that earn them good sums of money. It will be easy for them to flee,” he said.
“There is no proof of payment of special oversight commitment fee and it means they got the tender through fraudulent means. Court considered the strength of the State case and they have a case, therefore bail is hereby denied.”
The two returns to court on September 12, for routine remand.
