By A Correspondent

The bail hearing for Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu, former business partners of Wicknell Chivayo, in the Presidential Goat Pass-On Scheme fraud case, has been rescheduled to January 3, 2025.

According to The Herald, the pair is seeking bail under new circumstances. Initially set for January 17, 2025, the hearing was moved forward after their legal team informed Judge President Mary Dube of a crucial legal requirement.

Bail applications are required to be heard within 48 hours of filing, with appeals to be resolved within 96 hours. The hearing was originally postponed to December 27, 2024, but the prosecution, citing a lack of preparedness, requested a delay to January 3 to provide a comprehensive response. Both parties agreed to the extension.

Chimombe and Mpofu face charges of defrauding the Presidential Goat Pass-On Scheme of US$7.7 million. Earlier this month, their attempt to have the case referred to the Constitutional Court was dismissed by Justice Pisirayi Kwenda. The pair had argued that their arrest, detention, and pre-trial processes infringed upon their constitutional rights, warranting intervention from the Constitutional Court.