Businessmen Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu will learn on Tuesday next week if they will be allowed to appeal their conviction and sentence for fraud after High Court judge Pisirayi Kwenda set the date for the matter to be determined.
Three weeks ago, Justice Kwenda reserved judgment in the application by Chimombe and Mpofu, who are seeking leave to appeal to the Supreme Court their conviction and sentence of 12 and 17 years in prison, respectively, after a full trial for defrauding the government of US$7,7 million through a presidential goat tender scheme.
According to a notice of hearing issued by the registrar of the High Court, Chimombe and Mpofu will appear before Justice Kwenda on Monday, February 2, when they will learn whether they will be allowed to approach the Supreme Court.
“Take notice that the above criminal trial will be heard and determined physically by the High Court of Zimbabwe, Harare, before Mr Justice Kwenda on Monday, the second of February at 10am or soon thereafter as counsel may be heard,” reads part of the notice.
The two are seeking to appeal against both their conviction and sentence in the US$87 million Presidential Pass-On Goat Scheme scandal.
If the application is not granted, the pair may still approach the Supreme Court to appeal against Justice Kwenda’s determination.
Should the appeal be allowed, the businessmen will be entitled to apply for fresh bail, pending the outcome of the appeal, having been denied bail throughout their trial.
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