Goat scheme scandal: ZACC probes US$88m heist by Chimombe and Mpofu
HARARE – A damning memorandum from the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has exposed the shocking details of the Presidential Goat Scheme scandal, implicating high-profile individuals in a web of corruption and deceit.
The memo, dated June 7, 2024, reveals how accused persons Moses Mpofu and Mike Chimombe allegedly siphoned off US$40 million meant for the supply and delivery of goats to underprivileged households, instead using the funds to purchase luxurious houses and vehicles.
They are charged for theft of trust property as defined in Section 113 of the Criminal Law [Codification and Reform] Act Chapter 9:23 and Money Laundering as defined in Section 8(2) of the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act [Chapter 9:24].
According to the memo, “It is alleged that the accused persons were paid US$40 million by the Treasury for them to supply and deliver goats meant to support the underprivileged households across the country under the Presidential Goats Scheme.”
However, instead of delivering the goats, they allegedly converted the funds for their own use, purchasing luxurious houses and vehicles.
The investigation team, led by Mr. Chapwanya has revealed a detailed account of how the accused persons allegedly committed the crime.
“Investigations carried out… established that on 16 November 2021, the Government of Zimbabwe represented by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development entered into a contract agreement with Blackdeck Livestock and Poultry Farming represented by Moses Mpofu valued at US$87,757,168.00 for the supply and delivery of 632,001 goats over a period of five years,” the memo reads.
However, the ZACC team discovered that “there is no company registered in Zimbabwe as Blackdeck Livestock and Poultry Farming, rather there is Blackdeck Private Limited registered on 12 February 2015 with two Directors being Moses Mpofu and Phinas Hazvineyi Kabisira.”
The memo also reveals that the Ministry of Lands transferred ZWL901,294,200.00 and ZWL 698,705,800.00 into Blackdeck’s CABS bank account on April 21, 2022, and June 29, 2022, respectively, towards the supply and delivery of goats.
The total amount transferred is ZWL1.6 billion or US$7,712,197.10.
The investigation is ongoing, with the team awaiting a reconciliation of the total number of goats delivered to date and Blackdeck’s CABS bank statement.
Chimombe and Mpofu are already key suspects in the US$40 million Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) scandal, which centres on President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ally and ex-convict businessman Wicknell Chivayo.
The three suspects have reportedly fled Zimbabwe to avoid arrest by the ZACC.
Through their lawyers, they notified ZACC that they were willing to cooperate with investigations but were unavailable due to their absence from the country.
Chivayo is reportedly in Dubai, while Chimombe and Mpofu are in China.
ZACC Chairman Michael Reza vowed to leave no stone unturned in the investigation, promising that there would be no “sacred cows” in the crackdown.
According to Reza, the commission has already collected evidence and is determined to bring the suspects to justice.
“I can tell you right now we have some documents which we want to show the three gentlemen and I hope I am not prejudicing investigations, but I want Zimbabwe to know that we have not been sitting on this investigation,” he said.
“We have collected certain facts and when that information comes on the form 242 and if everything goes according to plan, we will use this to go to court. You will see detailed information with facts, figures and numbers. You will see those things, mark my words.
“We know they have their rights but we have our time limit. If they don’t come, we will go after them.
“Zimbabweans should know that ZACC is not toothless. President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said there are no sacred cows.
“I want Zimbabweans to know that there are no sacred cows in the fight against corruption and that is the stance we have taken as ZACC,” he said.
