ZANU-PF central committee member and businessman Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu will remain in custody for an additional week following their court appearance before Harare regional magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa. They are facing charges of defrauding the government of more than US$7 million under the Presidential Goat Scheme. The decision on their bail application has been postponed until July 16.

Defence counsel Tapson Dzvetero argued that the arrest of Chimombe and Mpofu is politically motivated, a claim contested by Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission’s lead investigating officer Henry Chapwanya, who emphasized the commission’s apolitical stance.

Chimombe and Mpofu were detained amidst accusations of embezzling funds allocated to the Presidential Goat Pass-on Scheme. This controversy has emerged alongside their alleged involvement with Wicknell Chivayo in a separate tender valued at US$40 million for supplying electoral materials to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.

Meanwhile, an audio recording circulating on social media features a heated exchange between Wicknell Chivhayo and Mike Chimombe over a financial arrangement related to a joint business deal.

In other news – SANDF soldier killed in DRC

In a devastating incident, a South African soldier lost his life in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The tragedy unfolded when a hand grenade detonated at a base located in the city of Beni on Monday, resulting in fatal injuries to the soldier. The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) confirmed the unfortunate event and assured that an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident is underway.

This incident comes amidst escalating tensions in the region. Just last month, two other South African soldiers were tragically killed during an attack by M23 rebels on the town of Sake. Read More