Cde Bekezela Mkonto kaMthwakazi

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), in a predictable move as a ZESA blackout, has once again demonstrated its signature “Catch and Release” program—this time dropping charges against tender tycoons Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu, who were facing charges of defrauding Harare City Council in a US$9 million streetlights deal.

The case collapsed faster than a poorly built government-funded apartment block, with prosecutors offering no explanation for the sudden withdrawal—because, really, why bother?

We all know how this works.

Chimombe and Mpofu’s lawyers, of course, were delighted that the state finally realized their case had less substance than a ZANU PF campaign promise.

Never mind that Chimombe and Mpofu remain behind bars, facing separate charges for allegedly defrauding the agriculture ministry in a US$7 million goat supply scheme—because apparently, when you’re in the business of questionable tenders, diversification is key.

This judicial whack-a-mole game has become so predictable it could be set to music.

First comes the dramatic ZACC arrest, then the media fanfare, followed by the slow unraveling of charges as if someone keeps misplacing the case files.

The only consistency is that the well-connected always seem to have at least one get-out-of-jail-free card up their tailored sleeves.

While the streetlights case has gone dark, the goat scandal continues to bleat on, proving that in Zimbabwe’s justice system, the real crime isn’t necessarily what you did, but whether you’ve used up all your political favors.

For ordinary citizens, justice comes swift and harsh—just ask the street vendor who gets six months for selling bananas without a license.

However, for the tenderpreneur class, there’s always another day, another court appearance, and another chance for charges to mysteriously disappear like donor funds in an election year.

As Chimombe and Mpofu prepare for their next court date on the goat allegations, one can’t help but admire the efficiency of a system that manages to be both relentless and toothless at the same time.

They might be in jail today, but with the NPA’s track record, you’d be foolish to bet against another round of disappearing charges.

After all, in Zimbabwe’s justice circus, the show must go on—even if the audience stopped believing in the performance years ago.