People at the High Court became upset yesterday because prison officials never brought Mike Chimombe to his fraud hearing. Nobody explained why he missed the morning session, forcing Judge Pisirayi Kwenda to demand the Zimbabwe Prisons Service bring Chimombe that afternoon. The truth came out later when everyone learned he felt sick.
His attorney, Professor Lovemore Madhuku, asked for extra time. He told everyone that doctors ordered Chimombe to stay in bed for seven days starting February 28. The lawyer requested that the trial date be pushed back until his client recovered completely. Judge Kwenda agreed and scheduled the new court date for March 17.
This case keeps getting pushed back for different reasons. Both Chimombe and his business partner Moses Mpofu have filed many legal papers asking for delays. These two businessmen face serious charges of stealing money from the government. Officials claim they took $7 million from a program meant to give goats to local farmers.
The Presidential Goats Pass-On Scheme became their target according to prosecutors. The fraud allegations involve millions of dollars that should have helped rural communities. Prison officials offered no reason earlier for not bringing Chimombe to court. The sudden medical excuse only appeared when questioned by the judge during afternoon proceedings.
His attorney, Professor Lovemore Madhuku, asked for extra time. He told everyone that doctors ordered Chimombe to stay in bed for seven days starting February 28. The lawyer requested that the trial date be pushed back until his client recovered completely. Judge Kwenda agreed and scheduled the new court date for March 17.
This case keeps getting pushed back for different reasons. Both Chimombe and his business partner Moses Mpofu have filed many legal papers asking for delays. These two businessmen face serious charges of stealing money from the government. Officials claim they took $7 million from a program meant to give goats to local farmers.
The Presidential Goats Pass-On Scheme became their target according to prosecutors. The fraud allegations involve millions of dollars that should have helped rural communities. Prison officials offered no reason earlier for not bringing Chimombe to court. The sudden medical excuse only appeared when questioned by the judge during afternoon proceedings.
