HARARE – Blackdeck (Private) Limited, the company at the center of the US$40 million Presidential Goat Scheme scandal, has released a statement setting the record straight on how they won the tender.
The US$88 million Presidential Goat Scheme scandal has taken a dramatic turn as Blackdeck (Private) Limited, the company at the center of the controversy, released a statement setting the record straight on how they won the tender.
According to the statement, Blackdeck participated in the tender process conducted by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development alongside three other companies and was awarded the tender as the lowest bidder meeting the required specifications.
“In light of recent media reports and allegations, Blackdeck (Private) Limited feels compelled to issue this statement to set the record straight and provide accurate information regarding the Presidential Goat Scheme Procurement,” the company said.
“Blackdeck (Private) Limited participated in the tender process conducted by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development alongside three other companies. It was awarded tender as the lowest bidder meeting the required specifications,” the company explained.
The company further stated that it entered into a contract with the Ministry on November 16, 2021, to supply goats over a five-year period, with a total value of US$87,757,168.00.
“On November 16, 2021, Blackdeck entered into a contract with the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development to supply goats over a five-year period.
“The Key Contract Terms included supply of goats amounting to 15,557 Mashona Buck, 16,444 Matebele Buck, 360,895 Mashona Doe, and 239,105 Matebele Doe over five years,” the statement read.
Blackdeck also clarified that it received a total of RTGS 1,600,000,000.00 (approximately USD $4,282,885.45) in two installments from the Ministry, which was used to cover the procurement of the goats, set up holding pens and goat centers, provide vaccination and general veterinary service to the goats, logistics to different provinces, security, feeding of the goats whilst in quarantine, tagging and salary and Labour related costs of the employees amongst many other costs and expenses.
“The payment terms were quoted in RTGS (not USD) as per Clause 29.2 of the contract. Cumulatively, total payments received amounted to RTGS 1,600,000,000.00 (One billion and six hundred million ) (approximately USD $4,282,885.45 at the interbank rate),” the company said.
The company also denied allegations of corrupt practices and clarified that Mike Chimombe is not a shareholder or director of the company.
“Mr Mike Chimombe is not a shareholder or director of Blackdeck (Private) Limited. He is not a signatory to any Blackdeck accounts. Furthermore, we did not receive USD $40,000,000 from the Government of Zimbabwe. Our tender was awarded based on our lowest bid meeting specifications, and we take exception to allegations of corrupt practices,” Blackdeck said.
The company also expressed its commitment to transparency and accountability and willingness to engage with stakeholders to resolve any outstanding matters.
“Blackdeck (Private) Limited is committed to transparency and accountability. We hope this statement clarifies the facts and sets the record straight. We will continue to engage with stakeholders to resolve any outstanding matters,” the company concluded.
Meanwhile, businessmen Moses Mpofu and Mike Chimombe, implicated in the scandal, on Monday surrendered themselves to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) to cooperate with investigations.
ZACC Chairman Michael Reza has assured the public that the commission has gathered strong evidence and will leave no stone unturned in the investigation, promising that there will be no “sacred cows” in the process.
