It never rains for underfire Zanu PF officials, Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu. The two businessmen, already in remand prison for their alleged role in a US$7 million fraud scheme linked to the Presidential Goat Scheme, have been apprehended once again, this time by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC).
The allegations against Chimombe and Mpofu, acting as representatives of Juluka Enndo Joint Venture, are serious. ZACC accuses the duo of submitting falsified documents while applying for the Harare City Council tender, a move that could see them facing even longer stints behind bars. Interestingly, the arrest comes barely hours after Mpofu and Chimombe applied for bail at the High Court for the Presidential Goats Scheme.
“ZACC has arrested Juluka Enndo Joint Venture officials, Moses Mpofu & Mike Chimombe on allegations of corruptly using false documents. The two allegedly submitted false documents while applying for a Harare City Council tender to rehabilitate street lights. Sometime in May 2024, the City of Harare readvertised a tender for two lots to fix street lights, responding to the advert, Mpofu and Chimombe acting for Juluka Enndo Joint Venture misrepresented that they were compliant with the provisions of PPDPA. They allegedly also submitted a financial report claiming it was audited by a consultancy company which investigations have revealed is not registered,” ZACC stated in a press release.
The alleged scheme, involving the submission of false documents and misrepresentation of their company’s compliance, highlights a disturbing pattern of deceit and corruption. The audacity of their actions, coupled with the fact that they are already facing serious charges, has sent a wave of anger and disbelief through the city. Many are questioning how these individuals were able to operate with such impunity, raising concerns about the level of corruption that might be permeating the corridors of power.
The arrest of Chimombe and Mpofu comes at a critical time for Harare, as the city prepares to host the 44th SADC Summit in August 2024. The street lighting rehabilitation project, initially allocated a budget of US$9,244,328.71, was intended to ensure adequate lighting for the summit, a crucial event for Zimbabwe. However, the alleged fraudulent activities of Chimombe and Mpofu have cast a shadow of doubt over the project’s progress, potentially delaying the much-needed upgrades and raising concerns about the city’s ability to host the summit effectively.
The scandal has also implicated six Harare City Council bosses, including the Town Clerk Hosiah Chisango, who are facing charges of criminal abuse of office for allegedly awarding the contract to Juluka Endo without following proper procedures. These officials, part of the tender evaluation committee, are accused of overlooking Juluka Endo’s ineligibility, despite its failure to meet tender requirements and its association with Synlak (Pvt) Ltd, a company that was awarded a tender for a biogas digester in 2019 but failed to deliver.
This latest arrest of the once powerful duo has also exposed the deep-rooted corruption that continues to plague Zimbabwe. The allegations of fraud and abuse of power, particularly in relation to government projects and initiatives, have eroded public trust and undermined the country’s efforts to attract investment and promote economic growth.
