Mpofu denies colluding with Chimombe

Businessman Moses Mpofu, director of Blackdeck Pvt Ltd, yesterday denied allegations that he colluded with fellow businessman Mike Chimombe to manipulate government processes and fraudulently secure a multi-million-dollar tender under the Presidential Goat Pass-On Scheme.

The High Court resumed trial proceedings with Mpofu testifying in his own defence. He dismissed claims that he and Chimombe conspired to defraud the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development of more than US$7.7 million.

"Chimombe and I never acted together or conspired to commit fraud. We never approached the ministry, nor did we submit the tender at the heart of this trial," Mpofu told the court under examination by his lawyer, Advocate Tapson Dzvetero.

He argued that the tender was submitted by Blackdeck Pvt Ltd, which he described as a corporate entity separate from himself and Chimombe. Mpofu further insisted the company had the capacity to deliver the 632 001 goats required under the livestock scheme, backed by a 30 percent advance payment guarantee from a local bank.

Mpofu blamed the ministry for breaching its contractual obligations, alleging that officials failed to exercise recourse through the bank despite being notified of the contract's breach and guarantee cancellation.

However, prosecutor Whisper Mabhaudhi challenged Mpofu's testimony during a heated cross-examination. The court heard that Blackdeck is co-owned by Mpofu and Hazvinei Panisa Kabisira, who holds a 90 percent stake, with Mpofu retaining 10 percent. Mabhaudhi pressed Mpofu on his relationship with Kabisira, suggesting she was his wife, effectively making Blackdeck a family business.

Mpofu denied the claim, describing Kabisira as a business partner, although he admitted the two share three children. He accused the State of trying to mischaracterise their relationship to weaken his defence.

The State alleges that Mpofu and Chimombe submitted forged ZIMRA tax clearance and NSSA compliance certificates during the tender process. Prosecutors argue the scheme, designed to uplift rural communities, was instead turned into a vehicle for personal enrichment, with payments disbursed but goats undelivered.

Chimombe has similarly rejected the allegations, insisting his dealings with the government were above board. Both men previously applied for discharge at the close of the State's case, but their applications were dismissed by Justice Pisirayi Kwenda, who ruled that the prosecution had established a prima facie case.

Mpofu's testimony is expected to continue today, with the State intensifying its cross-examination as the high-profile trial unfolds.