Mpofu apologises to Mnangagwa

Zanu PF-linked businessman Moses Mpofu has issued a public apology to President Emmerson Mnangagwa over the failed Presidential Goat Scheme, saying he regrets how the multi-million-dollar livestock programme collapsed under his watch.

Mpofu and his co-accused, businessman Mike Chimombe, are due to be sentenced on Monday after they were last month convicted of fraud involving US$7.7 million in State funds. The money was allocated for the supply of 85 000 goats under a government empowerment programme — but only 4 000 were delivered.

The pair, who operated under the company Blackdeck, were found to have misappropriated funds using fraudulent tax documents during a tender worth US$87 million. The firm, which prosecutors proved did not legally exist, received government payments despite failing to meet its contractual obligations.

In mitigation before the High Court on Wednesday, Mpofu said he regretted the scandal and apologised to both government and citizens.

"I want to apologise to Zimbabwe and President Mnangagwa. I want to say to Zimbabweans: I'm sorry, and I regret that the Presidential Goat Scheme did not go as planned. An apology has always been on my mind, starting with the President," he told the court.

Mpofu admitted Blackdeck operated with fake ZIMRA papers and failed to conduct proper checks, though he attempted to distance himself personally from the offence.

"Court's judgement is final, but it still hurts me because I did not do it. It was Blackdeck," he claimed.

Asked whether he was willing to repay the money, Mpofu said he lacked personal funds.

"If the court instructs that, I will see how to go about it," he said.

Chimombe, through his lawyer Ashiel Mugiya, indicated willingness to restitute the State. Mugiya told the court the businessman owned properties and movable assets exceeding US$1 million — including an US$800 000 Borrowdale home — which could help compensate the Ministry of Agriculture.

He pleaded for leniency, citing his client's status as a first offender, responsibilities over 15 minor children, and three wives.

Prosecutor Whisper Mabhaudhi, however, pushed for a severe sentence, arguing the fraud was unprecedented in scale and targeted the country's most vulnerable communities.

"They stole from the poorest of the poor," Mabhaudhi said. "A non-custodial sentence can't even be said to be a slap on the wrist."

He insisted a harsh penalty was necessary to uphold public confidence in the justice system, warning that anything below a lengthy custodial term would send the wrong message.

"The starting point for this case is 20 years. If the two get a lesser sentence, then people like Dziva should be set free," he argued, referring to former prosecutor Pardon Dziva's 19-year sentence for a US$10 000 offence.

He also accused the defence of dragging the trial by lodging 18 constitutional appeals and attacking the credibility of the court.

Professor Lovemore Madhuku, now representing Chimombe, countered that the Ministry of Agriculture shared responsibility through weak oversight and poor internal controls. He suggested barring Chimombe from future government contracts instead of imposing a long sentence.

After lengthy submissions from both sides, Justice Pisirayi Kwenda postponed sentencing to Monday. The prosecution has proposed a sentence of up to 35 years, while defence lawyers are appealing for leniency based on Mpofu's apology and Chimombe's offer of restitution.

The court is expected to hand down its final decision next week.