Chimombe, Mpofu denied bail

Court Correspondent

Harare regional magistrate, Mrs Marehwanazvo Gofa has denied bail to businessmen Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu who are facing fraud charges after they allegedly siphoned US$7 million from the Presidential Goats Scheme.

The State submitted various documents to support its claim that the accused persons are not good candidates for bail as they used forged documents to bid.

Mrs Gofa said Chimombe and Mpofu are facing a serious charge.

“In as much as this is not yet a trial, the accused were supposed to offer meaningful defence. They do not have plausible defence. They also failed to tender documentary evidence to prove that their company documents were legit,” said Mrs Gofa, adding that the duo could interfere with State witnesses.

Chimombe and Mpofu will return to court on August 7 for indictment, as the trial will be heard at the High Court.

Prosecutor Mr Anesu Chirenje said investigations revealed that Blackdeck Pvt Ltd did not have a valid tax clearance. The reference on the NSSA compliance certificate was issued to a different company.

Blackdeck Pvt Ltd was de-registered from the NSSA system in January 2016.

Acting on the misrepresentation, on 16 November 2021 the Ministry of Lands entered into an agreement with Blackdeck for the supply of 632 001 goats valued at US$87,7 million.

The court heard that between April and June 2022, the ministry transferred ZWL1.6 billion, which was equivalent to US$7 712 197, into the company’s bank account.

Consequently, their contract was cancelled on 29 August 2022 after Chimombe and Mpofu only supplied 4 208 goats valued at US$331 445.

They went on to convert US$7 380 751 to their personal use.