Corruption charges against business associates Moses Mpofu and Mike Chimombe were formally dropped on Wednesday by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in a case involving a US$9 million streetlight installation contract with the City of Harare.
The case was withdrawn before plea when the pair appeared before Justice Benjamin Chikowero at the Harare High Court, where their trial was scheduled to begin.
Whisper Mabhaudhi, representing the NPA, did not offer an explanation for the decision to withdraw the charges.
Despite this development, Mpofu and Chimombe still face prosecution in a separate case involving alleged fraud linked to a government project for the supply of goats under the Ministry of Agriculture.
Speaking outside court, Tapson Dzvetero, legal counsel for Mpofu, welcomed the withdrawal.
“This is a positive outcome for our clients,” he said. “They have always maintained the charges were baseless and politically motivated. Unfortunately, this decision comes after prolonged delays and unnecessary time spent in remand custody.”
Chimombe’s lawyer, Ashiel Mugiya, echoed similar sentiments.
“We had submitted our defense outline and were ready to proceed. It appears the prosecution finally acknowledged their case could not stand scrutiny,” he stated.
Chimombe had previously challenged the charges, questioning the NPA’s evidence linking him to the disputed streetlight contract, but his application was dismissed by magistrate Dennis Mangosi.
At the time of their arrest by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), both men were already in remand prison over allegations tied to a separate US$7 million livestock tender.
Mpofu was said to be the primary suspect in the streetlight case, while Chimombe denied any involvement, insisting he held no position either as an employee or director in Juluka Enndo Joint Venture, the company at the heart of the deal.
Prosecutors had alleged that the two misrepresented their credentials by submitting falsified records of previous work to secure the lucrative tender.
