By Staff Reporter
Harare – Former independent Norton lawmaker, Temba Mliswa, has made a startling claim that the US$7,7 million presidential goat scheme scandal involving Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu is being driven by political motives rather than legal principles.
In a recent social media post, the outspoken politician suggested that the decision to broadcast the trial live was a strategic move by a “third hand” to keep Chimombe and Mpofu behind bars.
Mliswa argued that Chimombe should have been granted bail long ago as he is not directly linked to the fraud case.
“I didn’t want to comment on the Chimombe and Mpofu case, but the latest revelations that the case will be broadcasted live has confirmed my suspicions that there is a third hand behind.
“The case is more political than legal as all vestiges of the latter have fallen away,” Mliswa posted on his X handle on Sunday.
“The theatrics are the efforts of a hidden hand making a statement of power.
“The basic facts of the case itself would allow for Chimombe to be given bail long back as he has nothing to do with the case.
“It’s not his company he was never part of the negotiations for the goat deal,” added Mliswa.
The jailed business duo, Mpofu and Chimombe, attempted last week to secure an in-camera trial, arguing that their case involved sensitive information related to high-ranking government and political figures.
However, Presiding Judge Justice Pisirayi Kwenda dismissed their request and granted state-controlled ZTN Prime permission to livestream the trial proceedings.
Despite this setback, Chimombe and Mpofu successfully obtained a postponement of their trial to October 22.
They informed the High Court of their intention to prepare an application for referral of their case to the Constitutional Court, aiming to address constitutional issues they believe have emerged.
The duo plans to submit a joint application to the apex court prior to the commencement of their trial.
Justice Kwenda granted the postponement after the State, represented by Witness Mabhaudhi, did not object to the request.
