Business partners Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu, involved in the goatsgate scandal, arrived at the Harare Magistrates Court early Thursday morning, June 27.
Their lawyers applied for bail, but the National Prosecuting Authority opposed it, arguing that they are currently in the custody of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), which brought the charges against them.
In a ruling on Wednesday, Magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa stated that she would determine whether the accused came from home by 2:15 PM on Thursday.
A finding that they did come from home is likely to result in bail being granted.
Prosecutor Anesu Chirenje informed the court,
“The state opposes bail.
The accused are not coming from home but from ZACC custody.
We request that the matter be postponed until tomorrow for the bail application. I need to lead evidence from ZACC on whether the accused came from home.
“I have also received extensive documentation which I will not be able to present today. I need to furnish the defense with these documents to ensure a fair process, despite the urgent nature of the bail application.
“I fully respect the constitutional rights of the accused to be heard and tried within a reasonable time. However, in the interests of justice, it is also fair for me as the prosecutor to familiarize myself with the documents.
“The court can only conclude on the issue I have raised after hearing the evidence. I intend to present testimony from two ZACC investigating officers, Zimunhu and Chapwanya.”
The defense opposed Chirenje’s application.
Advocate Tapson Dzvetero, representing Mpofu, argued, “My client opposes the postponement because bail applications are inherently urgent. The state can call evidence from the relevant parties immediately. We are fully prepared to respond.
“The investigating officer is known, and we have been dealing with this matter for some time. This is a straightforward issue that does not require much time.
“Why would the state claim that, even when armed with a Form 242, they still need to postpone this matter until tomorrow?”
Advocate Ashiel Mugiya, representing Mpofu, added, “Prosecutors should not have brought my client to court if they were not ready. It is prejudicial for the state to handle the case in this manner. The court must take judicial notice that the state, including the ZACC chairperson, has publicly stated that they are investigating both accused persons and would interview them.
Source Newsreportzim.com
