Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu, once regarded as businessmen with promising ventures, now find themselves at the center of a controversy involving Zimbabwe’s Presidential Goat Scheme. Accused of misappropriating a staggering $7 million meant for the scheme, their bail hearing has been postponed until Monday, July 1, compelling them to spend the weekend in custody.
The allegations against Chimombe and Mpofu are grave. It is reported that despite receiving full payment from the government, they failed to deliver the promised 32,500 goats intended to uplift disadvantaged communities. Instead, investigations revealed they only produced a paltry 4,208 goats, valued at a fraction of the disbursed funds.
According to Gamuchirai Sibongile Zimunhu, the investigating officer from the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), releasing the accused on bail could potentially incite public outrage. Zimunhu emphasized the case’s significance to the public, highlighting that the intended beneficiaries of the scheme, primarily impoverished communities, were adversely affected by the alleged actions of Chimombe and Mpofu.
The case took a serious turn when it was uncovered that the accused had allegedly forged documents, including a ZIMRA tax certificate and an NSSA compliance certificate under Blackdeck Private Limited. These falsified documents were crucial in their bid to secure the lucrative government contract. Subsequent scrutiny revealed that the NSSA certificate’s QR code and reference belonged to another entity entirely, and Blackdeck Private Limited had been delisted from the NSSA system years prior.
Financial irregularities further compounded the allegations. The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries, and Rural Development transferred a substantial sum amounting to ZWL 1.6 billion (approximately US$7.7 million) to the bank account of Chimombe and Mpofu’s company. This transfer was purportedly for the supply and delivery of thousands of goats, a promise that was not fulfilled.
As the investigation progressed, it became evident that the number of goats claimed to have been sourced by Chimombe and Mpofu vastly exceeded the actual count on their farm. This discovery ultimately led to the termination of their contract by the Ministry in August 2022.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has been steadfast in presenting evidence of the alleged fraud. They assert that Chimombe and Mpofu not only misrepresented their company’s compliance and capabilities but also diverted substantial sums for personal gain. To date, none of the misappropriated funds have been recovered.
The implications of this case extend beyond financial misconduct. It underscores the vulnerability of public funds and the profound impact of corruption on development initiatives intended to uplift Zimbabwe’s marginalized communities. The delay in the bail ruling suggests the gravity of the charges and the meticulous nature of the ongoing legal proceedings.
As Zimbabweans await further developments in this case, the fate of Chimombe and Mpofu remains uncertain. Their alleged actions have not only betrayed public trust but also jeopardized the welfare of those most in need, casting a shadow over the integrity of government procurement processes and the accountability of private contractors.
Monday’s bail ruling will be pivotal, potentially offering insights into how justice will be served in a case that has captured national attention and raised significant concerns about governance and ethical business practices in Zimbabwe.
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