Goatgate: Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu spend another night in jail

HARARE – Controversial businessmen Moses Mpofu (49) and Mike Chimombe (43) have been further remanded in custody until tomorrow (Friday) for the continuation of their bail applications.

The two prominent Zanu-PF members appeared before the Harare Magistrates Court on fraud charges related to a tender for the Presidential Goat Pass-on Scheme.

The duo allegedly forged tax clearance and NSSA compliance certificates, misrepresenting their company’s compliance status.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Blackdeck Private Limited, the company owned by the accused, was deregistered from the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) system in 2016 and did not receive a Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) tax clearance certificate for 2021.

Despite this, they attached forged certificates to their bidding document, leading to the Ministry of Lands awarding them the contract.

The Ministry transferred ZWL1.6 billion (approximately USD7.7 million) into their account, but the accused failed to deliver the goats as promised.

After several engagements, it was discovered that they only had 3,713 goats, contrary to their claim of 32,500. The contract was canceled, and the accused were arrested.

The court heard that the accused supplied only 4,208 goats valued at US$331,445 and converted the remaining US$7,380,751 to their personal use. Nothing has been recovered.

“Acting on the misrepresentation, the Ministry of Lands contracted Blackdeck Private Limited on the 3rd of November 2021. The Ministry transferred ZWL901 294 200 and ZWL698 705 800 on the 21st of April 2022 and the 29th of June 2022 respectively into their bank account.

“The total amount was ZWL1.6 billion and was equivalent to US$7 712 197. Following delays in delivery of the goats, the Ministry of Lands officials made several engagements with the accused persons.

“The accused persons misrepresented that they had mobilized 32 500 goats across the provinces which were ready to be distributed to the beneficiaries.

“However a verification process revealed that the accused persons only had 3 713 goats in their holding sites. The Ministry canceled the contract on the 29th of August 2022, following the discovery.

“The accused persons only supplied a total of 4 208 goats valued at US$331 445 and went on to convert US$7 380 751 to their personal use. Nothing was recovered,” the NPA said.

The pair was remanded in custody until tomorrow for continuation of bail hearing.