Obert Jiri, the Secretary for Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, has said the government had to terminate the presidential goat scheme after Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu delivered only 6,978 goats out of the promised 86,000, for which payment had already been made.
During his appearance before the parliamentary portfolio committee on Public Accounts on Monday, Jiri explained that the programme stalled due to the failure to deliver the remaining goats. He said:
<blockquote>
The goats that were delivered to date, 6,978. The payment that was made was for the delivery of 86,000 goats.
That was the potential that could have been delivered. So out of 86,000, only 6,978 were delivered.
So, of course, the major bone of contention was this non-delivery, but before that, it was the price for goods, which we tried to negotiate within the confines of the contract to say that goods must go to this, and I think we had agreed to a decent price.
But even when we had agreed, the delivery could not happen.
</blockquote>
Chimombe and Mpofu have been languishing in remand prison since June this year facing fraud charges in connection with the goats contract.
Prosecutors say Chimombe and Mpofu, who are facing fraud charges, forged a Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) tax clearance certificate, and a National Social Security Authority (NSSA) compliance certificate in the name of Blackdeck Private Limited.
Blackdeck is the company that was awarded the tender by the Ministry of Lands to supply goats under the presidential goat pass-on scheme.
The State is alleging that Blackdeck misrepresented that it was in full compliance with ZIMRA and NSSA requirements, yet investigations indicated the QR code and the reference on NSSA compliance were issued to a totally different company.
It is being further alleged that Blackdeck was deregistered from the NSSA system in January 2016.
Blackdeck was not issued with a ZIMRA tax clearance for 2021 and the QR code on the forged tax clearance belonged to a different company.
Prosecutors further alleged that in 2021, the government introduced the presidential goat pass-on scheme to alleviate poverty among the less privileged households across the country. Said Prosecutor Anesu Chirenje:
<blockquote>
On September 3, 2021, the Ministry of Lands flighted a tender for the supply and delivery of goats for the presidential goat pass-on scheme with a closing date of September 17, 2021.
On November 16, 2021, the Ministry of Lands entered into a contract agreement with Blackdeck Livestock and Poultry Farming for the supply and delivery of 632,001 goats for the presidential goat pass-on scheme valued at US$87,757,168.
The ministry, believing that what the accused persons had presented to them was true, went on and transferred ZWL$901,294,200 and ZWL$698,705,800 on 21 April 2022 and 29 June 2022 respectively summing up to ZWL$1.6 billion which was equivalent to US$7,712,197.10 into Blackdeck Private Limited’s bank account number towards the purchasing of the said goats.
</blockquote>
It is further alleged that Mpofu and Chimombe delayed the supply of the goats and they only managed to deliver a total of 4,208 goats valued at US$331,445.25 from the US$7,712,197.10 paid by the ministry and went on to convert the US$7,380,751.85 for their personal use.
Critics argue that Chimombe and Mpofu are being punished for revealing alleged corruption involving high-ranking State officials in the procurement of electoral materials for the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) ahead of the August 2023 general elections.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

The government's goat scheme was stopped because two men, Chimombe and Mpofu, did not deliver enough goats that were paid for. They are accused of fraud and lying about paperwork. The government gave them money to buy goats but they only bought a few and kept the rest. Some people think they are being punished for exposing corruption in the government. The men are now in trouble with the law for not delivering what they promised, causing problems for the goat scheme meant to help poor households.

Top Civil Servant Blames Chimombe, Mpofu For Collapse Of Presidential Goat Scheme

The trial of Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu, who have been in custody for over two months on corruption charges exceeding US$7 million, has been postponed to October 22 of this year.
The duo appeared relaxed and seemingly in good spirits during their appearance in the High Court in Harare on Thursday, where the proceedings were broadcast live on ZTN.
Chimombe and Mpofu are accused of misappropriating a total of US$7.7 million from the Presidential Goat Pass-On Scheme.
Allegations include forging a Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) tax clearance certificate and a National Social Security Authority (NSSA) compliance certificate under the name of Blackdeck Private Limited.
These documents were submitted with a bidding proposal to the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries, and Rural Development for a tender to supply goats for the scheme.
By doing so, they misrepresented their company as being in full compliance with ZIMRA and NSSA regulations.
Their trial was postponed after their lawyers requested a referral to the Constitutional Court. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
When Chimombe and Mpofu appeared at the Harare High Court the previous day (Wednesday), their lawyers traded barbs with Justice Pisirayi Kwenda.
Defence lawyers raised concerns about the court’s composition, specifically the age of the assessors, and argued that these issues should have been addressed before the trial began.
The defence claimed there were constitutional matters stemming from the duo’s arrest that needed to be resolved by the Constitutional Court before trial.
However, the prosecution argued that they should have been notified of the new defence outline regarding constitutional issues.
Tapson Dzvetero, representing Mpofu, began reading the defence outline, asserting that Mpofu pleaded not guilty and will challenge the legality of his detention and prosecution.
The defence contended that the charges stemmed from a civil matter related to a contractual disagreement with the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture, rather than criminal fraud.
Mpofu’s lawyer argued that he did not misrepresent the company’s capacity to supply goats and argued that the charges were unwarranted since the ministry had not pursued recovery of any funds.
The defence suggested that external parties with ulterior motives were influencing the prosecution, particularly in light of social media posts.
Professor Lovemore Madhuku told the court that Chimombe shares similar constitutional concerns and argued against the trial proceeding under what they deemed an improper court composition.
Chimombe’s lawyer explained that he was not directly involved in Blackdeck’s operations and only sought to mediate between the company and the ministry after disputes arose.
Both accused claimed that their legal troubles intensified after audios suggesting bribery by Wicknell Chivayo led to their arrest, alleging that they were targeted as punishment for leaking information.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The trial of Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu for corruption charges has been postponed to October 22. They are accused of stealing $7.7 million from a goat scheme. Their lawyers want the Constitutional Court to review their case. The defence says the charges are unfair and influenced by others. They claim they did not do anything wrong, and are being punished for exposing bribery by someone else. The trial is on hold while they argue about the fairness of the court and their innocence. Both defendants say they are not guilty.

Corruption Trial For Chimombe And Mpofu Postponed To October 22

Moses Mpofu (49) and his business associate, Mike Chimombe (43), who are facing fraud charges have been indicted to the Harare High Court, Anti-Corruption Court for trial.
In a statement issued this Wednesday, 08 August, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said that the trial has been set down on a continuous roll from the 01 to the 04 of October 2024. Reads the statement:
<blockquote>
Allegations are that the accused persons forged a ZIMRA Tax clearance certificate and an NSSA compliance certificate in the name of Blackdeck Private Limited and attached them in a bidding document which they submitted to the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development for a tender for the supply and delivery of goats for the Presidential Goat Pass-on Scheme. 
They misrepresented that the company was in full compliance with ZIMRA and NSSA requirements. 
Acting on the misrepresentation, the Ministry of Lands contracted Blackdeck Private Limited.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Moses Mpofu and Mike Chimombe are going to face trial in the High Court for fraud. They are accused of forging certificates for their company, Blackdeck Private Limited, to win a tender to supply goats for a government scheme. They tricked the Ministry of Lands into thinking their company was following the rules. The trial will take place in October 2024. The National Prosecuting Authority has released a statement about the case.

Mpofu, Chimombe Indicted For Trial In The High Court

The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has confirmed the re-arrest of business partners Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu on new corruption charges.
Chimombe and Mpofu are accused of falsifying business documents to secure a streetlighting tender with the Harare City Council.
This comes on the heels of their previous incarceration over fraud charges related to a botched goat supply tender granted to them by the government.
The two businessmen have been languishing in prison for several weeks now for charges related to the Presidential Presidential Goat Pass-on Scheme. 
<blockquote>
In a statement issued on Wednesday, 31 July, ZACC confirmed the fresh charges levelled against the two. ZACC said:
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested Juluka Enndo Joint Venture officials Moses Mpofu and Mike Chimombe on allegations of corruptly using false documents.
Mpofu and Chimombe allegedly submitted false documents while applying for a Harare City Council tender to rehabilitate street lights.
Allegations are that sometime in May 2024, Harare City Council readvertised a tender for two lots to fix street lights.
Responding to the advert, Mpofu and Chimombe acting for Juluka Enndo Joint Venture misrepresented that they were compliant with the provisions of Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets General Regulations by resubmitting a receipt which they had used in an earlier bid in which their company had been disqualified.
The accused also allegedly submitted a financial report claiming it was audited by a consultancy company which investigations have revealed is not registered.
They allegedly further misrepresented that they had undertaken similar work for City of Harare and were experienced in the area of street lights installations. 
Juluka Enddo was awarded a tender on the basis of falsified information.
</blockquote>
According to the statement, Mpofu and Chimombe were scheduled to appear at Harare Magistrate court today, Wednesday 31 July 2024.
Chimombe and Mpofu’s woes started when they accused Wicknell Chivayo, who is close to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, of fraudulently changing their contract with South African company Ren-Form and Better Brands to supply voting material to ZEC in the run-up to the 2023 general elections.
Chimombe and Mpofu are also suspected to have leaked Chivayo’s voice notes in which he claimed to have captured Mnangagwa and also appeared to finger several high-ranking government officials in the ZEC scam.
In June, Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) chairperson Michael Reza announced that the agency has compiled a robust case against Chivayo, Chimombe, and Mpofu, concerning allegations of money laundering and abuse of office.
The contrasting fates of the various individuals accused of corruption in Zimbabwe have raised concerns about the impartiality and effectiveness of the country’s anti-graft initiatives.
On one hand, business partners Chimombe and 
Mpofu have been languishing in jail for over a month due to fraud charges related to a botched goat supply tender.
However, the case of Chivayo presents a stark contrast. Despite also facing corruption allegations, Chivayo remains free, without any apparent threat of arrest.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Two businessmen in Zimbabwe, Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu, were arrested again for new corruption charges. They are accused of using fake documents to get a streetlighting contract. They were already in prison for a botched goat supply deal. The two men were supposed to appear in court on July 31. They have also been involved in other corruption scandals. Some people are worried that the anti-corruption efforts in Zimbabwe are not fair because some people are arrested while others are not.

Chimombe, Mpofu, Arrested Again On Fresh Corruption Charges

City of Harare town clerk Hosiah Chisango has been arrested for alleged unprocedural awarding of a US$9.2 million tender without following due process.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, 24 July, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) confirmed Chisango’s arrest.
Chisango is accused of awarding the multi-million dollar tender to Juluka Enndo Joint Venture, a company owned by businessman Moses Mpofu, without following due process. Said ZACC:
<blockquote>
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has arrested Harare City Council (HCC) Town Clerk, Engineer Hosiah Chisango on charges of criminal abuse of duty.
Allegations are that Eng. Chisango acted in connivance with four other officials who are already in custody and awarded a streetlights tender worth over US$9.2 million to Juluka Enndo Joint Venture, a company owned by businessman Moses Mpofu, without following due process.
</blockquote>
Chisango was expected to appear in court on Thursday over the corruption allegations.
Mpofu and Mike Chimombe, both linked to ZANU PF, are languishing in remand prison following their arrest over alleged embezzlement of funds allocated through a goat supply tender by the government.
The duo allegedly secured a multi-million tender to supply goats under the Presidential Goat Pass-on Scheme.
However, instead of fulfilling their agreement, they allegedly used the funds for personal gain, purchasing luxurious vehicles and houses.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The town clerk of Harare, Hosiah Chisango, was arrested for giving a $9.2 million contract without following rules. The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission confirmed the arrest. Chisango is accused of working with others to give the contract to Juluka Enndo Joint Venture, owned by businessman Moses Mpofu, without the right process. Chisango was supposed to go to court. Mpofu and Mike Chimombe, connected to ZANU PF, are in jail for stealing money from a goat supply plan. They were supposed to give goats but used the money for themselves instead.

Harare Town Clerk Hosiah Chisango Arrested For Corruption

Harare regional magistrate, Marehwanazvo Gofa has denied bail to Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu who are facing fraud charges after they allegedly misappropriated US$7 million from the Presidential Goats Scheme.
Gofa said Chimombe and Mpofu are facing a serious charge, adding that the duo could interfere with State witnesses. Said Gofa (via <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/chimombe-mpofu-denied-bail/">The Herald</a>):
<blockquote>
In as much as this is not yet a trial, the accused were supposed to offer meaningful defence. They do not have plausible defence. They also failed to tender documentary evidence to prove that their company documents were legit.
</blockquote>
Chimombe and Mpofu will return to court on August 7, 2024, for indictment, as the trial will be heard at the High Court.
Prosecutor Anesu Chirenje alleged that Mpofu and Chimombe forged documents to secure the tender to supply 600,000 goats under the Presidential Goat Scheme.
He said investigations revealed that Blackdeck Pvt Ltd, the company linked to the accused, which they allegedly used to defraud the government, did not have a valid tax clearance.
The reference on the NSSA compliance certificate was issued to a different company, according to the prosecution.
It is alleged that Blackdeck Pvt Ltd was de-registered from the NSSA system in January 2016.
The court heard that acting on the misrepresentation, on 16 November 2021 the Ministry of Lands entered into an agreement with Blackdeck for the supply of 632 001 goats valued at US$87,7 million.
Between April and June 2022, the ministry transferred ZWL1.6 billion, which was equivalent to US$7 712 197, into the company’s bank account.
Consequently, their contract was cancelled on 29 August 2022 after Chimombe and Mpofu only supplied 4 208 goats valued at US$331 445.
They went on to convert US$7 380 751 to their personal use.
Critics argued that Chimombe and Mpofu’s arrest may be in retaliation for exposing alleged underhand deals between Wicknell Chivayo and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), which implicated several high-ranking government officials.
Chivayo is an ex-convict and an associate of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, as well as a ZANU PF donor
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu were denied bail by a judge in Zimbabwe. They are accused of fraud for taking $7 million from a goat scheme. The judge said they could interfere with witnesses. The trial will be at the High Court. They are accused of forging documents to get the goat contract. The company they used had problems with taxes. They were supposed to give 600,000 goats but only gave 4,208. They used the money for themselves. Some people think their arrest is revenge for exposing other government corruption.

Mike Chimombe And Moses Mpofu Denied Bail

Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu, who are facing fraud charges related to the alleged siphoning of over $7 million from the Presidential Goat Scheme, will continue to be held in remand prison until their bail application is ruled on next week.
According to <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/chimombe-mpofu-to-spend-another-week-in-custody/">The Herald</a>, the lawyers for the accused, Arshiel Mugiya and Tapson Dzvetero, completed their cross-examination of the lead investigator, Henry Chapwanya from the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), on Tuesday, July 9th.
The state prosecutors are expected to file their closing arguments tomorrow, arguing against the granting of bail, while the defence counsel will submit their bail application arguments on Friday.
The presiding magistrate, Marehwanazvo Gofa, said the ruling on the bail application will be delivered on July 16.
Prosecutors have alleged that Mpofu and Chimombe forged documents to secure the tender to supply 600,000 goats under the Presidential Goat Scheme.
The two lead investigators, Henry Chapwanya and Gamuchirai Zimunhu, provided evidence in court arguing that Mpofu and Chimombe should be denied bail.
They claimed that if released, the suspects would pose a flight risk and also the release could result in protests that would undermine the peace and security of the nation, especially with the upcoming SADC Summit scheduled in the next few weeks.
In addition, Chapwanya submitted that there was a high likelihood Mpofu and Chimombe would interfere with witnesses, as they had previously interacted with some of them during negotiations for the goat tender held with the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development.
Prosecutor Anesu Chirenje presented documentary evidence in the form of a memo that had been circulated on social media by the two suspects.
The memo stated that the government had provided them with around $4 million equivalent for the project.
Some critics have questioned the timing of the arrests of Mpofu and Chimombe, as the alleged fraud is said to have occurred a couple of years ago.
There has been speculation that their arrest may be in retaliation for exposing alleged underhand deals between Wicknell Chivayo and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), which implicated several high-ranking government officials.
Chivayo is an ex-convict and an associate of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, as well as a ZANU PF donor.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Two men, Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu, are accused of stealing over $7 million from the Presidential Goat Scheme. Lawyers are arguing for their release on bail, but prosecutors say they should stay in jail. The decision on bail will be made on July 16. Prosecutors claim the men could run away or interfere with witnesses. Some think their arrest is connected to exposing illegal dealings involving high-ranking officials. The men are linked to President Emmerson Mnangagwa's associate, Wicknell Chivayo. The case is ongoing, with more information expected to come.

Chimombe, Mpofu Bail Ruling Deferred To 16 July

Authorities faced difficulties in locating the alleged fraud suspects and business partners Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu, with the intent of apprehending them on Tuesday, Harare magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa was told Thursday.
Speaking in court while opposing the accused persons’ bail application, Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) investigating officer Gamuchirai Zimunhu said the two men evaded arrest on Tuesday.
Zimunhu said Chimombe and Mpofu later promised to visit the ZACC offices by 6 PM on Tuesday, but they ultimately failed to show up as agreed. She said (via <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/zacc-investigators-say-chimombe-mpofu-arrest-was-a-nightmare/">ZimLive)</a>:
<blockquote>
Public disorder may arise; people will no longer trust the justice system in that ZACC catches and releases people.
Accused may abscond from court. On Tuesday 25 June, we spent the greater part of the day manhunting for them and they were not at their place of residence.
We called them on Monday after they left. When Mr Chapwanya (the other IO) called Mr Mugiya to advise him that we wanted to see his client, Mr Chimombe said he was out of Harare and Mpofu was at his farm in Zvimba.
He promised to bring them before 6 PM but they didn’t come and Mugiya promised to bring them on Tuesday and we waited for them up to mid-day.
Mr Chapwanya advised Mugiya that his clients had turned hostile, which resulted in teams being deployed to manhunt the accused persons.
</blockquote>
Chimombe and Mpofu were finally arrested on Wednesday around 10 AM after they finally handed themselves in.
Zimunhu also said she was not satisfied with the address given by Mpofu. She said:
<blockquote>
I’m not sure if he stays at the Greendale house because the house is not yet complete. The gardener was present when we went there.
</blockquote>
Chimombe and Mpofu were on Friday, June 28, ordered to spend the weekend in remand prison after a bail ruling in their case was deferred to Monday, July 01.
The two individuals are accused of defrauding the government of $7 million that was earmarked for the Presidential Goat Scheme.
Chimombe and Mpofu allegedly failed to supply goats despite receiving full payment from the Government.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZACC Investigators Said Search For Chimombe And Mpofu Was Challenging

Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu have been ordered to spend the weekend in remand prison after a bail ruling in their case was deferred to Monday, July 01.
The two individuals are accused of defrauding the government of $7 million that was earmarked for the Presidential Goat Scheme.
On Monday, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission’s investigating officer, Gamuchirai Sibongile Zimunhu, will continue testifying against the duo, reported <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/chimombe-mpofu-to-spend-weekend-in-jail/">The Herald</a>.
Chimombe and Mpofu allegedly failed to supply goats despite receiving full payment from the Government.
On Friday, Zimunhu told the court that if the duo was released on bail, it could cause a public outcry as there was overwhelming evidence against Chimombe and Mpofu.
She said the public has an interest in the matter as the goats were supposed to benefit less privileged people in the country, hence people could protest if the two were granted bail.
Allegations are that Chimombe and Mpofu forged a ZIMRA Tax clearance certificate and an NSSA compliance certificate in the name of Blackdeck Private Limited and attached them to a bidding document which they submitted to the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development for a tender for the supply and delivery of goats for the Presidential Goat Pass-on Scheme.
Chimombe and Mpofu allegedly misrepresented that the company was in full compliance with ZIMRA and NSSA requirements.
However, investigations indicated that the QR code and the reference on the NSSA compliance certificate were issued to a different company.
It is further alleged that Blackdeck Private Limited was deregistered from the NSSA system in January 2016.
The NPA said further investigations established that Blackdeck Private Limited was not issued with a ZIMRA tax clearance certificate for the year 2021 and that the QR code on the forged tax clearance certificate belonged to a different company. Said the NPA:
<blockquote>
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 USD7 712 197. Following delays in the 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 cancelled the contract on the 29th of August 2022, following the discovery.
</blockquote>
Chimombe and Mpofu reportedly 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.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Mike Chimombe Latest News

Latest Jobs