HARARE – Affirmative Action Group (AAG) former president Mike Chimombe was released on a Z$50,000 bail Tuesday after being charged with defrauding one Brian Marungamise of US$16,900.
Chimombe (41) was not asked to plead when he appeared before Harare magistrate David Mangosi in another case of catch and release programme exercised by the ‘Second Republic’ on its proxies.
The National Prosecuting Authority, represented by Pardon Dziva, did not refuse bail in a case that will raise questions on the selective approach by the state when it comes to ruling party members and those perceived to be opponents.
The lanky Chimombe, dressed in a black shirt and covering his mouth with a face mask, sat quietly in the dock as the charges were read.
Dziva told the court that Mike Chimombe defrauded a Harare man, Brian Marungamise of $16,900 by selling him a non-existent plot.
Chimombe’s alleged accomplices, Heymish Katsande and Steven Chimombe, are currently out on bail.
Prosecutors say Chimombe and his two co-defendants “falsely claimed that they were the owner and seller of a 558 square meter residential property” in the suburb of Tynwald.
“When Mike Chimombe misrepresented himself, he knew full well that he had no estate of his own and no such estate.
“Chimombe made this misrepresentation with the intent to deceive or surrender realized that there was a real risk or opportunity to deceive Marungamise to his financial detriment,” Dzviva said.
Mike Chimombe, represented by Tapson Dzvetero, was detained until October 26.
Meanwhile, opposition party Citizens for Coalition Change (CCC) officials Job Sikhala, Godfrey Sithole and the Nyatsime 14 are still locked up at Chikurubi Maximum Prison for more than 100 days after demanding justice following the murder of activist Moreblessing Ali early this year.
