Zvikomborero Parafini
BUSINESSMEN Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu are expected back in court today, a day after they spent the day at the High Court, for a ruling on their application for bail on another fraud case in which they claim there have been changed circumstances.
The duo filed a fresh bail application before Harare magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa.
The two told her that their accomplices have all been granted bail.
The accomplices are Never Murerwa, Jabulani Mukomazi, Denford Zhungu, Tawanda Mutenhabundo and Hosiah Chisango.
Murerwa, Mukomazi, Zhungu and Mutenhabundo were granted bail by Magistrate Gofa on October 17 while Chisango was granted bail by the High Court on September 17.
Their second ground of appeal was that the State is taking too long to finalise its investigations, which is prejudicial to them, as they are in custody.
Allegations are that the two, through their company Juluka Projects and Plant Hire, placed a bid among other companies for rehabilitation of street lighting in Harare ahead of the SADC summit.
The invitation to tender document by the City of Harare stipulated that all the prospective bidders must have among other requirements, stamped audited financial statements for the last two years.
They also needed to have proof of payment for special procurement oversight committee (SPOC) administration fee, specific work history (experience) with the City of Harare in relation to a similar project, NSSA Certificate of Compliance, a ZIMRA Compliance Certificate, among other things.
On 19 April, the City of Harare Evaluation Committee awarded Syvern Investments, Exodus and Company, Ship Tracks and Onel Engineering the tender to rehabilitate eight of the ten lots.
Juluka was disqualified after failing to meet the tender requirements.
However, the City of Harare went on to invite Juluka to submit a fresh bid and the duo responded by submitting a bid document containing some false statements.
Mpofu allegedly signed as managing director of the company and Chimombe signed as a witness which culminated in them receiving a part payment of US$260 000.
Yesterday, the two were at the High Court in another fraud case.