Online Reporter
Nyore Madzianike
Senior Reporter
CONVICTED businessmen Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu are expected to be sentenced today at the High Court for fraud charges stemming from the misappropriation of funds under the Presidential Goat Scheme.
The pair was found guilty of using forged documents to secure a tender to supply 632 001 goats under a Government livestock pass-on programme, valued at US$87 757,16.
Although the tender had initially been awarded to Blackdeck Private Limited, the final contract was signed by an unregistered entity — Blackdeck Livestock and Poultry Farming — with the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development.
The project, aimed at improving food security, nutrition and income for rural households, aligned with Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 1.
Targeted beneficiaries were vulnerable groups — orphans, widows, the elderly, the disabled, and the chronically ill – identified through a Ministry of Public Service database.
Investigations later established that the company did not possess a valid 2021 tax clearance certificate, while a QR code on its NSSA compliance document was traced to a different firm, Skywalk Investments.
Prosecutor, Mr Whisper Mabhaudi, urged the court to impose a 35-year custodial sentence, arguing that “the offence shocks the conscience of man”.
“The circumstances demand the maximum penalty under the law. The court must send a clear message to deter others and restore hope that those draining this nation’s economy will face justice.”
Mpofu, through his lawyer Mr John Koto, submitted that the alleged use of forged documents should not be equated to the execution of the contract itself.
Representing Chimombe, Professor Lovemore Madhuku acknowledged the seriousness of the offence, but insisted the sentences should differ, arguing that Chimombe played a minimal role.
He urged the court to consider the conduct of officials within the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development, whom he said failed in their due diligence during tender assessments.
“The negligence of State officials is glaring. How could a committee led by a lawyer fail to uncover the fraud? The entire ministry evaluated nothing. This failure must be addressed,” said Prof Madhuku.
He further challenged the absence of a Government report quantifying the exact prejudice suffered.
Mr Mabhaudi countered that the real victims were vulnerable groups — orphans, widows, the elderly, the disabled and the chronically ill — identified through a public service database.
Following the awarding of the tender, the ministry paid ZWL1,6 billion in two instalments in 2022, equivalent to US$7 712,197 at the time.
Chimombe and Mpofu appear before Justice Pisirayi Kwenda today.
