Chimombe, Mpofu in Chikurubi Phone Scandal

Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu

HARARE – Convicted businessmen Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu were allegedly assaulted by prison guards at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison after being found in possession of mobile phones in their cells, according to online publication Nehanda Radio.

The two are currently serving lengthy prison sentences for fraud linked to the Presidential Goat Pass-On Scheme.

Digital Trail Leads to Raid

According to a senior source within the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS), authorities had placed the pair under close surveillance amid suspicions they were communicating with the outside world.

A monitoring team reportedly tracked their alleged social media activity, including WhatsApp and Facebook online status indicators. The breakthrough came when Mpofu’s account allegedly showed as “active,” triggering a targeted cell raid.

During the search, prison officers allegedly recovered an iPhone from Mpofu’s cell. He was reportedly assaulted during the operation and later implicated Chimombe, as well as prison officers allegedly involved in facilitating access to the devices.

Second Raid and Officer Dismissals

Following the alleged confession, a second search was conducted in Chimombe’s cell, where another iPhone was reportedly found. Both inmates were allegedly beaten and later treated at the prison hospital within the Chikurubi complex.

The scandal quickly widened to include suspected staff complicity. Prison officers allegedly linked to the smuggling operation were detained, and their living quarters searched. Chargers believed to have been used to power the phones were reportedly recovered.

Sources indicate that a disciplinary hearing was convened, and the implicated officers were dismissed for gross misconduct. However, ZPCS has not issued an official public statement confirming the dismissals.

Remission Under Review

The fallout has reportedly reached senior levels within the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs. Authorities are considering withdrawing the remission previously granted to the two inmates.

Under Zimbabwean prison regulations, remission, a reduction of sentence for good behaviour, can be revoked if inmates violate prison rules or engage in misconduct.

Broader Criminal Investigation

The alleged breach has sparked a wider investigation into how the phones entered the maximum-security facility and whether any additional crimes were committed using the devices. Correctional authorities treat contraband possession as a serious offence, as unauthorised communication can facilitate witness interference, corruption, or further criminal activity.

Chimombe is serving an effective 12-year sentence after five years were suspended from a 17-year term. Mpofu is serving an effective 15-year sentence after eight years were suspended from a 22-year term. Both have lodged appeals against their convictions and sentences. At the time of publication, prison authorities had not issued a formal statement on the alleged assaults or the disciplinary outcomes.

Chimombe Mpofu Chikurubi scandal