D-Day for Chimombe, Mpofu

Businessmen Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu are expected to learn their fate today when they return to the High Court for sentencing, after being convicted of fraud in connection with the controversial Presidential Goat Scheme.

The two were found guilty of using forged documents to secure a Government tender for the supply of 632 001 goats under a livestock pass-on programme valued at US$87 757,16. The initiative was meant to support vulnerable rural households - including orphans, widows, the elderly, the disabled and the chronically ill - as part of efforts to strengthen food security, nutrition and income generation under Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 1.

Although the tender had been awarded to Blackdeck Private Limited, the final contract was inexplicably signed by a different and unregistered entity, Blackdeck Livestock and Poultry Farming, working with the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development.

Investigations revealed further irregularities, including the absence of a valid 2021 tax clearance certificate and a National Social Security Authority (NSSA) compliance document bearing a QR code linked to another company - Skywalk Investments.

During submissions, prosecutor Mr Whisper Mabhaudi urged the court to impose a 35-year jail term, describing the offence as a grave betrayal of public trust.

"The offence shocks the conscience of man," he argued.
"The court must send a clear message to deter others and restore hope that those draining this nation's economy will face justice."

Defence teams for the two businessmen sought leniency.

Representing Mpofu, Mr John Koto argued that the alleged use of forged documents should not be conflated with the execution of the contract itself.

For Chimombe, Professor Lovemore Madhuku acknowledged the seriousness of the matter, but insisted his client played a lesser role and should receive a lighter sentence. He also questioned the due diligence of ministry officials responsible for tender vetting.

"The negligence of State officials is glaring. How could a committee led by a lawyer fail to uncover the fraud? The entire ministry evaluated nothing," Prof Madhuku submitted.

He further challenged the absence of a detailed Government report specifying the losses incurred.

Mr Mabhaudi countered that prejudice lies with the intended beneficiaries - vulnerable households whose livelihoods the scheme sought to uplift.

Following the tender award, the ministry disbursed ZWL1,6 billion in two instalments in 2022 - then equivalent to US$7 712,197.

Justice Pisirayi Kwenda will hand down sentences later today, in a ruling closely watched by the public and stakeholders monitoring accountability in public resource management.