Latest indications show that Zimbabwe’s outgoing Finance Minister, Ignatius Chombo could spend the longest prison term in recent days if convicted of charges which have been suddenly raised with the rise of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
How the mighty havw fallen- for years running into last week, Chombo who is one of Zimbabwe’s richest land barons, enjoyed full immunity from prosecution, a wall that has suddenly crumbled this month.Chombo, a suspected G40 minister during the time President Emmerson Mnangagwa was troubled by former First Lady Grace Mugabe, has a string of charges on his head in a case that has seen him being tied to leg iron bars in the most humiliating trial this year. Pictures and videos of the man yesterday show him being jeered at by members of the public as he went into the Harare magistrates court.
Prosecutors and legal experts speculate that he could spend over 55 years if convicted of the crimes. The man who is currently 66 years old would be just about 121 years when he is due for release.
He is facing fraud, abuse of public office and corruption charges; while Chipanga, Zanu-PF’s former Secretary for Youth Affairs, is answering to one count of publishing falsehoods.
The court heard that Chombo violated Section 4(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act (Chapter 9:16) when he allegedly connived with Psychology Chiwanga, R Pazvakavambwa, Iben Fransisco, James Chiyangwa, Theresa Chenjerayi, Elias Choto and L Chimimba to forge documents to transfer a Glen Lorne, Harare property from the Harare City Council to one Alois Chimeri.
He allegedly committed the offence during his stint as Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister.
Part of the charge sheet reads, “During the period extending from June 25, 2004 and December 2009, the accused and his accomplices forged documents that include a lease-to-buy agreement and capital gains tax clearance certificate, and purported that these documents were authentic and made by the City of Harare with the concurrence of Local Government and Zimbabwe Revenue Authority officials.”
This resulted in council losing property valued at US$900 000.
Chombo is also accused of using his influence as Local Government Minister to arm twist the Harare City Council to allocate him residential stand Number 61 Helensvale, Harare which measures 193 716 square metres.
It is alleged he developed cluster houses on the land.
Initially, the City of Harare had asked Chombo to use the land for recreational purposes, but he allegedly took the land for himself through Harvest-Net Enterprises, a company he co-directed then.
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The court also heard that on October 1, 2005, Chombo allegedly fraudulently acquired a Z$14 billion loan from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe under the Other Crops and Livestock Support Facility.
Instead of purchasing farming implements, he allegedly bought two Toyota Hilux Vigo vehicles.
Chombo’s lawyer, Professor Lovemore Madhuku, applied for the ex-Cabinet minister’s removal from remand because he had been “over-detained” after having been “arrested” by people dressed in military attire.
Prof Madhuku turned to Section 50 of the Constitution which states that any person detained or arrested by a State agent should be taken to court within 48 hours.
However, presiding magistrate Mr Elisha Singano dismissed the application, saying the defence had failed to prove that those who had “arrested” Chombo were State agents.
