ZANU PF central committee member Mike Chimombe and his business partner, Moses Mpofu, have been indicted to the High Court for trial. They are accused of defrauding the government of more than $7 million in a presidential goat scheme. The indictment was issued by Harare regional magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa.
The case has attracted significant attention due to the high-profile nature of the accused. Chimombe and Mpofu are being represented by lawyers Tapson Dzvetero and Arshiel Mugiya. Prosecutor Anesu Chirenje stated that the State is ready to proceed with the trial, which is scheduled for October 1 to 4 this year.
The prosecution believes it has a strong case against the defendants. Evidence includes a tax clearance certificate, tender documents from the Lands Ministry, minutes from meetings with the company Blackdeck, and relevant bank statements. The State will rely heavily on these documents during the trial to prove its case.
Chimombe and Mpofu allegedly forged a Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) tax clearance certificate and a National Social Security Authority (NSSA) compliance certificate under the name of Blackdeck (Private) Limited. The State claims that the Zimra tax clearance certificate and the NSSA compliance certificate were crucial in securing government contracts for Blackdeck. However, the investigation revealed that the QR codes and reference numbers belonged to a different company. This discovery prompted further scrutiny of Blackdeck’s dealings and the role of Chimombe and Mpofu in the alleged fraud.
The crux of the case revolves around the alleged defrauding of the government in the Presidential Goat Pass-on Scheme. The Presidential Goat Pass-on Scheme was intended to alleviate poverty and boost economic activity in rural areas. The scheme provided goats to families, who would then pass on the offspring to other families, creating a sustainable cycle of livestock growth and economic improvement. The alleged fraud not only deprived the government of significant funds but also potentially harmed countless families who would have benefited from the program. However, Chimombe and Mpofu are accused of misappropriating funds meant for this initiative.
The alleged fraud amounts to more than $7 million, a significant sum that was intended to benefit many underprivileged communities. The State’s case suggests that Chimombe and Mpofu exploited their positions and connections to orchestrate the fraud.
Prosecutor Chirenje indicated that the evidence gathered is comprehensive and implicates the defendants in a deliberate scheme to defraud the government. The State will present detailed evidence, including the forged documents and financial records, to establish the defendants’ involvement in the fraudulent activities.
Chimombe and Mpofu’s legal team is expected to challenge the State’s evidence, arguing that their clients are innocent of the charges. The defense will likely focus on discrediting the prosecution’s documents and questioning the validity of the investigation.
