Story by Peter Chivhima
The State has filed a notice to the High Court opposing an application by Harare businessmen, Moses Mpofu and Mike Chimombe for their case to be referred to the Constitutional Court.
Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu had approached the High Court seeking their matter to be referred to the Constitutional Court arguing that it was before the wrong court.
The duo went on to raise 17 constitutional issues claiming that their constitutional rights had been violated.
They also challenged the legality and validity of their continued detention.
Chimombe and Mpofu further challenged Judge Pisirayi Kwenda’s decision to permit live broadcasting of the trial without consulting them or the prosecution.
However, in a notice filed this Monday, the state is opposing the duo’s High Court application.
The state further indicated that Chimombe and Mpofu have failed to demonstrate that there are constitutional issues that arose during the current proceedings.
Chimombe and Mpofu are accused of defrauding the government of more than seven million United States dollars in a goat supply tender scam.
They allegedly forged documents for their company, Black Deck Private Limited to secure the tender issued by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development.
Elsewhere, a 30-year-old woman from Mutare, whose video in which she was assaulting her 11-month-old baby went viral on social media, has been remanded in custody until the 30th of this month.
During her court appearance at Mutare Magistrates Court this Monday, the woman pleaded guilty and claimed that she is suffering from mental illness.
Meanwhile, former Chegutu West legislator Dexter Nduna who is facing charges of fraud has been remanded in custody to the 29th of this month after the state opposed his bail application.
Nduna allegedly misrepresented that he was collecting parking fees on behalf of Chegutu Municipality.
