The bail appeal from businessman Mike Chimombe failed at Zimbabwe's Supreme Court on March 6, 2025. The judges agreed with earlier decisions that Chimombe should stay locked up until his trial. He first went to jail last June and keeps hitting roadblocks when trying to get out. The court believes he might run away, mess with witnesses, or pose other risks because of his serious charges.
Prosecutors say Chimombe and his business partner Moses Mpofu stole millions of dollars. The money came from the Presidential Goat Pass-On Scheme, which was meant to help rural areas develop. Chimombe first asked for bail at the magistrate's court back in July 2024 but was turned down. He tried again at the High Court this January, but those judges said no as well.
Chimombe told the Supreme Court that the High Court made mistakes. He claimed they just copied what earlier courts said instead of looking at his case with fresh eyes. The Supreme Court didn't buy his argument and decided he should remain behind bars. After reviewing everything, they felt the reasons for keeping him locked up still made sense.
By next June, Chimombe will have spent a full year waiting for his trial inside the remand prison. His lawyers haven't said if they plan to try other ways to get him out. Every level of Zimbabwe's court system has refused to release him as the fraud case moves forward. The serious nature of taking government money meant for poor communities has kept him locked away.
Prosecutors say Chimombe and his business partner Moses Mpofu stole millions of dollars. The money came from the Presidential Goat Pass-On Scheme, which was meant to help rural areas develop. Chimombe first asked for bail at the magistrate's court back in July 2024 but was turned down. He tried again at the High Court this January, but those judges said no as well.
Chimombe told the Supreme Court that the High Court made mistakes. He claimed they just copied what earlier courts said instead of looking at his case with fresh eyes. The Supreme Court didn't buy his argument and decided he should remain behind bars. After reviewing everything, they felt the reasons for keeping him locked up still made sense.
By next June, Chimombe will have spent a full year waiting for his trial inside the remand prison. His lawyers haven't said if they plan to try other ways to get him out. Every level of Zimbabwe's court system has refused to release him as the fraud case moves forward. The serious nature of taking government money meant for poor communities has kept him locked away.
