Chimombe, Mpofu to Appeal goat tender fraud conviction

Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu, recently sentenced to 12 and 15 years respectively for a US$7,7 million fraud involving a government goat tender, have vowed to continue pursuing their freedom through an appeal to the Supreme Court.

The two businessmen spent nearly two years at Harare Remand Prison before being transferred to Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison following the High Court ruling by Justice Pisirayi Kwenda, which concluded a lengthy two-year legal battle.

Speaking from Chikurubi during a family visit, Chimombe said their lawyers are actively preparing the appeal to challenge both the conviction and sentence.

"I believe a different judge can arrive at a different ruling," Chimombe said. "It is important that we fight to prove our innocence so that we can finally be free and go home to our children. We are not here to fight anyone, but just to clear our names."

Mpofu confirmed the appeal process has already begun, adding that he is trying to make the best of the situation while hoping for a swift hearing. Chimombe, a member of the Zanu-PF central committee, emphasized he remains loyal to the ruling party and is not challenging it over his incarceration, which some observers describe as politically motivated.

The two were convicted for using forged documents to secure a tender to supply 632,001 goats under a government livestock pass-on scheme. The contract, awarded to Blackdeck (Private) Limited, was meant to be paid in three instalments.

Prosecutors argued that an unregistered entity, Blackdeck Livestock and Poultry Farming, later signed the contractual documents with the Ministry of Agriculture. Investigations revealed that Blackdeck lacked a valid 2021 tax clearance certificate, and a QR code on a National Social Security Authority compliance certificate was linked to a different company, Skywalk Investments.

Despite receiving ZWL1,6 billion (approximately US$7,712,197) in two instalments in 2022, only 4,208 goats, valued at US$331,445, were delivered by the end of that year.

Chimombe and Mpofu voluntarily handed themselves over to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission upon returning from China, though they were denied bail several times before their conviction. Their appeal aims to overturn the High Court judgment and clear their names.