Former Minister of Finance, Ignatius Chombo, and Zanu (PF) Youth League leader Kudzai Chipanga have been denied bail by Harare Magistrate Elisha Singano.
Chombo is facing charges of fraud, criminal abuse of office and contravening the Prevention of Corruption Act. He was denied bail after Magistrate Singano his safety was at risk as the public was angry with him and could attack him if he was released on bail.
Singano also said Chombo was likely to abscond as he had access to significant financial resources. He also noted that Zimbabwe’s borders were notoriously porous. State prosecutors argued against Chombo being granted bail because the police had indicated that they still needed two more weeks to finish investigating the case against him. The Investigating Officer, Onsimor Chikomba, said the man was very influential and could compromise State witnesses.
He added that releasing Chombo on bail would undermine public order and that he was a flight risk who was likely to abscond as he had numerous contacts outside the country
The state also argued that Chipanga was a flight risk. His lawyer Lovemore Madhuku has announced that he will launch an appeal against the bail refusal tomorrow.
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