By Staff Reporter
EMBATTLED businessman ,Mike Chimombe has pleaded with the courts to postpone mbattelJailed businessman, Mike Chimombe trial to next week Monday sice he has fallen sick.
Chimombe stands accused of defrauding the state of US$7 million in a Presidential Goats Scheme.
A letter from doctors submitted before High Court judge Pisirayi Kwenda, revealed Chimombe is currently ill and will require at least seven days to recuperate.
His lawyer, Ashiel Mugiya asked for a postponement of the trial to next Monday to allow his client to heal.
“The basis of the application is that the second accused person, Mike Chimombe is not feeling well and is not in a state that he could stand trial. I received a document dated the 22nd of February 2025 in which a medical practitioner attended to the second accused person.
“The document indicates that the accused is expected to recuperate within seven days so my application is that the matter be postponed to Monday next week, on the 3rd of March for commencement of trial,” Mugiya submitted.
The court heard the letter was written by Dr D Ngwaru.
Mugiya also requested a court order directing that Chimombe be examined by a state doctor.
“I so pray that this directive will be issued by the court,” he said.
Witness Mabhaudhi representing the state said he was not opposed to the postponement but shot down the request to have a court order issued as requested by Mugiya.
“It’s unlike a mental health issue. No one is challenging that medical report.
“We expect him (Chimombe) to be here on Monday so there is no need for him to be examined by a doctor. The matter has been remanded so that should suffice,” he said.
The presiding judge Kwenda granted a postponement of the trial to Monday but agreed with the state and said he would not issue a court order for Chimombe to be seen by state doctors.
Chimombe is jointly charged with his colleague Moses Mpofu.
The two have been in custody since their arrest in June last year with all their attempts to secure freedom having failed.
There have been many false starts to the duo’s trial from the time they were indicted last year.
