Fidelis Munyoro

Chief Court Reporter

THE pre-sentencing hearing for businessmen Moses Mpofu and Mike Chimombe has been rescheduled to November 26 due to the absence of their entire defence team.

Lead counsel Professor Lovemore Madhuku was reportedly out of the country on urgent business, while Arsheal Mugiya, Advocate Garikayi Sithole, and Advocate Tapson Dzvetero were also unavailable.

Standing in for both defence teams, Mr John Koto requested the postponement, which was not opposed by prosecutor Mr Whisper Mabhaudi, though he suggested an earlier date.

Justice Kwenda granted the request and moved the matter to November 26.

This delay follows a string of unsuccessful legal attempts by the defence to pause the sentencing process.

On Monday, the court moved the hearing to yesterday, rejecting two bids by Mpofu and Chimombe to stop proceedings.

First, the defence argued that sentencing should wait until they received a written judgment from Justice Kwenda.

When that was dismissed, they sought permission to appeal to the Supreme Court, insisting that sentencing without a written judgment would be improper.