Passion Java files fraud charges against ‘friends’ Chimombe and Mpofu

HARARE – It never rains but pours for embattled businessmen Moses Mpofu and Mike Chimombe, after flamboyant preacher Prophet Passion Java filed charges against them, accusing the pair of defrauding him of US$300 000.

Java, a close associate of the two, had ironically attended their earlier court sessions in solidarity.

In his filing, Prophet Java alleges that the pair lured him to also invest in the City of Harare’s US$9,2 million street lights tender through a company called Juluka Projects and Plant Hire.

Chimombe and Mpofu were recently arrested on the same issue, after the latter allegedly submitted forged documents for Juluka Enndo Joint Venture company when he made his bid.

The embattled businessmen reportedly gave the the impression that their company complied with the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act.

However, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has since uncovered that the company submitted an audit report from a non-existing company.

Java reportedly filed charges against the two at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport police station upon his return from South Africa.

National police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi said, “I can confirm that a report was made and we are investigating the case.”

There is speculation by some however that Java could be trying to pre-empt the possibility that he could also be implicated in the corrupt deal by Chimombe and Mpofu. 

“By rushing to claim he was defrauded of US$300 000 by these guys, he is trying to put some distance in terms of liability between himself and his colleagues in jail.

“Does it make sense that a few weeks ago he was at the Magistrates Court in Harare to show solidarity with them and now he is claiming they defrauded him? That does not make sense,” a source told Nehanda Radio.