Online Reporter
Fidelis Munyoro
Chief Court Reporter
THE trial of business associates Moses Mpofu and Mike Chimombe for fraud over the Presidential Goat Pass-On Scheme wrapped up yesterday, with Chimombe maintaining he had no case to answer on the US$7.7 million tender awarded to Blackdeck Private Ltd.
Chimombe, who took the stand to defend himself, faced intense cross-examination from lead prosecutor Whisper Mabhaudi.
At the heart of the case is the transfer of RTGS $2 million from Blackdeck to Millyteck Enterprises — a company where Chimombe was a director. The money, allegedly meant for procuring goats, is claimed to have been misused.
Mr Mabhaudi accused Chimombe of diverting the funds for personal gain, noting the lack of supporting documentation for the transfer. Chimombe, however, fired back, accusing the prosecution of straying beyond the original charges.
“The charges against me are clear,” said Chimombe. “I am accused of conspiring with Mpofu to fabricate ZIMRA tax clearance and NSSA compliance certificates. Anything to do with Millyteck is irrelevant since I am being charged in my personal capacity.”
Pressed further, Chimombe declared, “I was arrested as Mike Chimombe, not as the face of Millyteck.”
Mr Mabhaudi countered, alleging the two had used their companies to defraud the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development.
Chimombe dismissed the claim.
“That is not true. It seems you are now introducing new charges against us,” he said.
Chimombe denied approaching the Ministry to secure favours for Blackdeck, stating he only attended meetings at the request of Mpofu.
Mpofu had previously testified that Blackdeck’s board resolved to involve Chimombe to mediate a contractual dispute with the Ministry. But Chimombe said he never saw the resolution authorising him to act on behalf of Blackdeck.
When asked why he had not challenged Mpofu’s evidence, Chimombe said, “That’s a matter for the prosecution to address during cross-examination.”
Mr Mabhaudi suggested the duo had orchestrated a plan to defraud the State by failing to deliver on the goat supply contract under the Presidential scheme.
Chimombe dismissed the allegations, arguing the Ministry had not filed a complaint against them.
“The Ministry has not reported any criminal case against us,” said Chimombe. “When I attended the meeting, I did so as Mpofu’s friend, not as a company director.”
He insisted that Blackdeck had paid several companies and individuals to source foreign currency from the parallel market, with Millyteck being just one of many subcontractors.
He also emphasised that his arrest was tied to Blackdeck’s operations, not Millyteck’s.
The prosecution argued that the tender, which involved the supply of over 632 000 goats under a Government rural empowerment initiative, became a conduit for personal enrichment.
They alleged that Mpofu and Chimombe secured the deal through fraudulent means, including submitting forged tax clearance and compliance certificates.
Chimombe maintained his innocence, stating he committed no offence and that the prosecution had failed to prove its case. The court adjourned to October 13, when both sides will present their final arguments.
The State is pushing for a conviction, arguing the evidence shows a deliberate scheme to siphon public funds.
The defence, meanwhile, will seek to dismantle the allegations, asserting the prosecution has failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Peter Tanyanyiwa