News / National
Mpofu distances Chimombe from goats tender scandal
6 hrs ago | 33 Views
Businessman Moses Mpofu has denied claims linking his associate, Mike Chimombe, to the controversial US$87 million goats tender awarded to Blackdeck Private Limited, the company at the centre of an alleged multi-million-dollar fraud.
The two are accused of defrauding the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development of over US$7.7 million in the Presidential Goats-Pass-On Scheme.
Testifying under cross-examination from Chimombe's lawyer, Arshiel Mugiya, Mpofu insisted that Chimombe was not involved in Blackdeck's operations during the tendering process.
"His company, Millyteck, was a bidder in the tender. He had nothing to do with Blackdeck," Mpofu said.
The State, however, contends that Chimombe played a role in the company's affairs.
Mpofu acknowledged that Chimombe attended one meeting between Blackdeck and the Ministry but stressed that it was only in his capacity as a leader of the Economic Empowerment Group, invited to mediate contract disputes after the tender had already been awarded.
"He was not part of renegotiating the contract's terms or the addendum. I am certain he was out of the country in South Africa at the time," Mpofu told the court.
Chimombe's lawyer argued that his client was an outsider to Blackdeck's dealings, noting that his appearance at the national goats scheme launch was political, given the project's status as a presidential initiative. Mpofu agreed with this explanation.
On the financial side, Mpofu confirmed that Blackdeck made payments to Chimombe's company, Millyteck, but said these were legitimate subcontracting fees. He explained that Blackdeck hired Millyteck and two other firms to supply goats, something he said was permissible under the contract, citing testimony from former Permanent Secretary Dr John Basera.
The prosecution maintains, however, that Mpofu and Chimombe fraudulently secured the tender using forged ZIMRA tax clearance and NSSA compliance certificates. They allege that while funds were paid out, the promised goats never reached rural communities, turning the empowerment scheme into a personal enrichment vehicle.
Chimombe had initially sought a discharge at the close of the State's case but later withdrew the application and will now testify in his defence. He is expected to take the stand on Wednesday.
Justice Pisirayi Kwenda has already dismissed Mpofu's bid for discharge, ruling that the State had established a prima facie case requiring both men to defend themselves.
With the defence dismissing the allegations as baseless and the State pressing its case of fraud and forgery, the trial has now entered a critical stage as attention shifts to Chimombe's testimony in what has become one of Zimbabwe's most closely watched corruption cases.
The two are accused of defrauding the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development of over US$7.7 million in the Presidential Goats-Pass-On Scheme.
Testifying under cross-examination from Chimombe's lawyer, Arshiel Mugiya, Mpofu insisted that Chimombe was not involved in Blackdeck's operations during the tendering process.
"His company, Millyteck, was a bidder in the tender. He had nothing to do with Blackdeck," Mpofu said.
The State, however, contends that Chimombe played a role in the company's affairs.
Mpofu acknowledged that Chimombe attended one meeting between Blackdeck and the Ministry but stressed that it was only in his capacity as a leader of the Economic Empowerment Group, invited to mediate contract disputes after the tender had already been awarded.
Chimombe's lawyer argued that his client was an outsider to Blackdeck's dealings, noting that his appearance at the national goats scheme launch was political, given the project's status as a presidential initiative. Mpofu agreed with this explanation.
On the financial side, Mpofu confirmed that Blackdeck made payments to Chimombe's company, Millyteck, but said these were legitimate subcontracting fees. He explained that Blackdeck hired Millyteck and two other firms to supply goats, something he said was permissible under the contract, citing testimony from former Permanent Secretary Dr John Basera.
The prosecution maintains, however, that Mpofu and Chimombe fraudulently secured the tender using forged ZIMRA tax clearance and NSSA compliance certificates. They allege that while funds were paid out, the promised goats never reached rural communities, turning the empowerment scheme into a personal enrichment vehicle.
Chimombe had initially sought a discharge at the close of the State's case but later withdrew the application and will now testify in his defence. He is expected to take the stand on Wednesday.
Justice Pisirayi Kwenda has already dismissed Mpofu's bid for discharge, ruling that the State had established a prima facie case requiring both men to defend themselves.
With the defence dismissing the allegations as baseless and the State pressing its case of fraud and forgery, the trial has now entered a critical stage as attention shifts to Chimombe's testimony in what has become one of Zimbabwe's most closely watched corruption cases.
Source - The Herald
