Wenslus Murape
H-Metro Reporter
GIVEN the severity of the serious fraud charges, which have kept him in custody for more than TWO months, Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu were uncharacteristically in a good mood yesterday.
The two businessmen, who are facing fraud charges involving US$7,7 million, appeared in the High Court in Harare yesterday.
Dressed in khakhi uniforms, the businessmen walked into court at about 2.21pm with Chimombe leading the way.
Chimombe was the first to flash a smile, after a chat with one of their lawyers, while Mpofu waved to the packed gallery.
The trial was being screened live on ZTN.
When they took their seats in the dock, Chimombe appeared to have an issue with a journalist who was taking photos using his cellphone.
However, a number of people in the gallery were also using their cellphones to capture images of the two businessmen.
Then, the two businessmen appeared to discuss something between themselves and, once again, they burst into laughter.
They appeared relaxed and possibly in a good mood.
Their hair, too, appeared to have been cut very well as if they knew they were coming for a trial which would be screened live on television.
Mpofu stuck to his usual bald head cut while Chimombe chose a more fashionable cut, the kind of which he used to get at the exclusive saloons he used in Harare before he was thrown into custody.
His hair also appeared to have been dyed recently.
Chimombe laughed, or smiled, more than Mpofu and did it, at least, six times yesterday.
Their trial was postponed to October 22 after their lawyers sought referral to the Constitutional Court.
The two have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Online Reporter