In a dramatic turn of events, flamboyant prophet Passion Java has filed fraud charges against businessman Mike Chimombe, accusing him of defrauding him of US$300,000.
This comes just six weeks after Java was seen publicly supporting Chimombe during his court appearance on separate charges.
The charges stem from a deal involving the City of Harare’s US$9.2 million street lights tender. Chimombe is accused of submitting forged documents for his company, Juluka Enndo Joint Venture, when bidding for the tender.
Java claims that Chimombe and his business partner, Moses Mpofu, lured him into investing in the deal through a company called Juluka Projects and Plant Hire.
Interestingly, just last month when Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu first appeared in court, Zimbabweans showered the United States-based cleric Passion Java with praise for attending his friend Mike Chimombe’s trial in person.
Chimombe and Moses Mpofu were appearing before the Harare Magistrates Court for the second day of their bail hearing. The two are accused of defrauding the government of over US$7 million in a failed Presidential Goat Scheme.
Pictures of Passion Java following the court proceedings were shared on social media platforms, with Zimbabweans praising the cleric for being a real friend and supporting Chimombe during this difficult period. However, some questioned the sincerity of his support, as he had previously appeared to be celebrating Chimombe’s downfall.
Here are some of the comments:
“Passion Java is a real friend, standing by his brother Mike during this tough time,” one comment read.
Another Twitter user wrote, “I wonder if this is genuine support or just a publicity stunt.”
In another video after the court proceedings, Moses Mpofu’s sister-in-law was captured on video attacking journalists and attempting to break their phones while they were recording her having a conversation with Prophet Java.
The matter was reported to the police at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport over the weekend, and investigations are currently underway.
National police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, confirmed that a report was made and the case is being investigated.
“I can confirm that a report was made and we are investigating the case,” he said.
Commissioner Nyathi, however, declined to provide further details.
This sudden shift in Java’s stance towards Chimombe has left many bewildered. Some speculate that Java may be seeking to distance himself from the ongoing legal troubles surrounding Chimombe as the complainant in the Presidential Goat Scheme is President Mnangagwa’s office, while others believe that this could be a strategic move to protect his own interests.
The latest development adds another layer of complexity to the already intricate web of allegations surrounding Chimombe and Mpofu.
