By Staff Reporter
Harare businessmen Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu have been sentenced to 12 and 15 years in prison, respectively, after being convicted of fraud.
The sentencing took place on Monday at the High Court, with Justice Pisirayi Kwenda presiding. The court found that both men were guilty of engaging in serious fraud, including the misuse of public funds, with the amount involved being substantial.
Initially, the sentencing guidelines recommended a starting point of 20 years due to the severity of the crime. In the case of Moses Mpofu, this led to an initial 25-year sentence, while Mike Chimombe was given 20 years.
However, both men received credit for the 27 months they had already spent in custody during the trial. The final sentences were as follows:
Moses Mpofu: 22 years (with three years suspended for good behaviour over five years, and a further four years suspended on the condition of restitution), bringing his effective sentence to 15 years.
Mike Chimombe: 17 years (with three years suspended for good behaviour over five years and two years suspended for restitution), resulting in an effective sentence of 12 years.
Both Chimombe and Mpofu have indicated their intention to appeal both the conviction and the sentences.
