Online Reporter
Fidelis Munyoro
Chief Court Reporter
The Supreme Court has rejected appeals by businessmen Moses Mpofu and Mike Chimombe against their prison sentences for fraud in the Presidential Goat Pass-on Scheme.
Mpofu’s 15-year sentence and Chimombe’s 12-year sentence remain unchanged.
Justice of Appeal George Chiweshe, delivering the unanimous judgment, said: “The aggravating features clearly outweighed the mitigatory factors. Under the circumstances, the court a quo cannot be faulted in determining that a custodial sentence was called for.”
The court found their actions caused significant prejudice to public funds meant to alleviate poverty. Justice Chiweshe observed: “This was a fraud involving public funds meant to alleviate poverty across the country. The actual prejudice to the fiscus was enormous.”
Mpofu argued the case merely concerned misrepresented qualifications for the tender. The court dismissed this, noting resources were lost due to fraudulent claims about the company’s capacity.
Justice Chiweshe concluded the lower court correctly applied sentencing principles, leaving no prospect of success in the appeal. Both applications were dismissed, although limited legal questions remain open for future appeals, with legal experts saying the appeals will be academic considering the court’s decision on the sentence.
For now, their convictions and sentences stand.
