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>

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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

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

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>

Chimombe And Mpofu To Spend Weekend In Jail

Economic Empowerment Group (EEG) president Mike Chimombe and his business partner Moses Mpofu are under investigation by the Zimbabwe Anti-corruption Commission (ZACC), over a botched US$87 million Presidential Goat Scheme.
According to a leaked ZACC memorandum dated 07 June 2024, Chimombe and Mpofu potentially face charges of contravening section 113 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act chapter 9:23 relating to the theft of trust property, and section 8(2) of the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act.
It is alleged that the duo were paid US$40 million by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development for them to supply and deliver goats meant to support underprivileged households across the country under the Presidential Goats Scheme.
It is further alleged that after Mpofu and Chimombe received the funds from the Treasury, they did not deliver the goats as agreed but they went on and converted the funds for their use through purchasing luxurious houses and vehicles. Reads the memo:
<blockquote>
Investigations that ensued established that on 16 November 2021, the Government of Zimbabwe represented by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development entered into a contract agreement with Blackdeck Livestock and Poultry Farming represented by Moses Mpofu valued at US$ 87 757 168.00 for the supply and delivery of 632 001 goats over a period of five years.
Investigations conducted established 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.
Investigations further established the two parties agreed that the Ministry of Lands would make an advance payment of 30% to Blackdeck Livestock and Poultry Farming towards the purchasing of the said goats.
Further investigations established that on 21 April 2022 and 29 June 2022, the Ministry of Lands transferred ZWL$901 294 200.00 and ZWL$698 705 800.00 respectively into Blackdeck CABS bank account number 1006126120 towards the supply and delivery of the said goats.
The total amount transferred by the Ministry of Lands to Blackdeck to date is ZWL$1.6 billion or US$7 712 197.10 converted at interbank rate.
</blockquote>
The memo indicated that the investigation is ongoing as ZACC was seeking to get a reconciliation of the total number of goats delivered to date to the Ministry of Lands by Blackdeck.
ZACC also sought to obtain Blackdeck’s CABS bank statement in which the funds for the purchasing of the said goats were deposited by the Ministry of Lands.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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