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Chimombe denies role in US$7.7m goats tender scandal
2 hrs ago |
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Businessman Mike Chimombe yesterday took the witness stand in his fraud trial, rejecting allegations that he masterminded a multimillion-dollar scam linked to the Presidential Goats-Pass-On Scheme.
Testifying in his defence, Chimombe denied colluding with rival bidder Blackdeck Pvt Ltd, which won a tender his own company, Millyteck, had failed to secure.
"I could not have helped Blackdeck win a tender when my own company was competing for the same opportunity," he said, led by Advocate Garikai Sithole.
Prosecutors allege Chimombe and his associate, Moses Mpofu, misrepresented facts to the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development to divert US$7.7 million meant to benefit rural farmers. The State claims forged ZIMRA tax clearance and NSSA compliance certificates were used to secure the contract, with payments made but no goats delivered.
Chimombe distanced himself from Blackdeck, insisting he was neither a shareholder nor director. He admitted attending a single meeting at the Ministry but said he was invited by Mpofu in his role as president of the Economic Empowerment Group (EEG), not as a Blackdeck representative.
"I introduced myself as the leader of EEG and even handed out my business cards. The claim that I represented Blackdeck is simply not true," he said.
He also dismissed testimony by former Lands Permanent Secretary Dr John Basera, who accused him of taking decisions on behalf of Blackdeck. "Dr Basera failed to clarify many aspects of his testimony," Chimombe argued, stressing that his presence at the Chipinge launch of the scheme was political, linked to his role as a Zanu-PF Central Committee member.
Chimombe acknowledged that Blackdeck was entitled to subcontract suppliers, but questioned why he alone was facing charges.
"I am being traumatised. Fifteen months in custody for a case that has nothing to do with me. Why am I the only one arrested when Blackdeck had numerous subcontractors?" he asked.
The businessman, who initially sought a discharge at the close of the State's case before opting to testify, will face cross-examination from prosecutor Whisper Mabhaudi today.
Testifying in his defence, Chimombe denied colluding with rival bidder Blackdeck Pvt Ltd, which won a tender his own company, Millyteck, had failed to secure.
"I could not have helped Blackdeck win a tender when my own company was competing for the same opportunity," he said, led by Advocate Garikai Sithole.
Prosecutors allege Chimombe and his associate, Moses Mpofu, misrepresented facts to the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development to divert US$7.7 million meant to benefit rural farmers. The State claims forged ZIMRA tax clearance and NSSA compliance certificates were used to secure the contract, with payments made but no goats delivered.
Chimombe distanced himself from Blackdeck, insisting he was neither a shareholder nor director. He admitted attending a single meeting at the Ministry but said he was invited by Mpofu in his role as president of the Economic Empowerment Group (EEG), not as a Blackdeck representative.
"I introduced myself as the leader of EEG and even handed out my business cards. The claim that I represented Blackdeck is simply not true," he said.
He also dismissed testimony by former Lands Permanent Secretary Dr John Basera, who accused him of taking decisions on behalf of Blackdeck. "Dr Basera failed to clarify many aspects of his testimony," Chimombe argued, stressing that his presence at the Chipinge launch of the scheme was political, linked to his role as a Zanu-PF Central Committee member.
Chimombe acknowledged that Blackdeck was entitled to subcontract suppliers, but questioned why he alone was facing charges.
"I am being traumatised. Fifteen months in custody for a case that has nothing to do with me. Why am I the only one arrested when Blackdeck had numerous subcontractors?" he asked.
The businessman, who initially sought a discharge at the close of the State's case before opting to testify, will face cross-examination from prosecutor Whisper Mabhaudi today.
Source - The Herald
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