Online Reporter
Fidelis Munyoro
Chief Court Reporter
THE courtroom remained tense yesterday as the cross-examination of Moses Mpofu, accused of fraud involving over US$7,7 million under the Presidential Goat-Pass-On Scheme, entered another day.
The prosecution pressed Mpofu, who stood in the witness box, on a series of transactions made by Blackdeck (Private) Limited after the Government deposited Z$901 million into the company’s account in April 2022.
Prosecutor Whisper Mabhaudi grilled Mpofu on the withdrawal of funds, pointing to a bank statement showing 78 withdrawals made in a single day, just two days after Blackdeck received the funds.
Mpofu, responding under pressure, admitted the company resolved to convert the money into foreign currency.
“After receiving the funds, the directors held a meeting to confirm receipt. It was agreed that farmers would not accept local currency, which was losing value rapidly,” he said.
The court heard that nearly Z$4 million from the funds was used to buy beds, among other expenditures. Mpofu justified the spending, claiming it was part of a strategy to secure foreign currency.
“We used every avenue available, including retail shops, bars, and other outlets, to raise hard currency needed to pay the farmers,” he explained.
The prosecution listed significant transactions, including Z$160 million sent to Seda Petroleum and Z$66 665 000 to other companies such Nomstel and Millyteck.
Mpofu argued these payments were legitimate, saying the companies were agents tasked with sourcing goats from farmers.
Mr Mabhaudi challenged this, suggesting the funds were misused for personal gain, leaving the company unable to procure the required goats.
Mpofu pushed back, claiming the funds received were only 7 percent of the agreed 30 percent advance payment.
“The money went towards holding pens, logistics, salaries, transport, and other ancillary services,” he insisted.
The prosecution turned its focus to a transaction where Mpofu’s co-director, Hazvineyi, was paid Z$1,5 million in salaries just four days after the funds were deposited.
Again, Mpofu defended this, stating that while labelled as salaries, the money may have been used to raise United States dollars on the parallel market.
Mr Mabhaudi also accused Mpofu of misleading the Government by using fraudulent documents to secure the tender.
“Your company was not entitled to the tender because the documents used were fraudulently acquired,” Mr Mabhaudi asserted.
Mpofu denied the allegations, saying, “All the documents went through thorough evaluation processes. I did not prepare or submit the tender documents; I merely signed the contract after Blackdeck was awarded the tender.”
The prosecution alleges the tender process was riddled with irregularities, claiming Mpofu and his business associate, Mike Chimombe, submitted forged ZIMRA tax clearances and NSSA compliance certificates to win the lucrative contract.
It further argues that the project, intended to uplift rural communities, became a scheme for personal enrichment, with the accused failing to deliver on promises after receiving payments.
Chimombe’s defence team has dismissed the allegations as baseless, maintaining that all transactions and actions related to the project were above board. The cross-examination continues.
