Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu, the two men at the heart of the alleged US$7 million Presidential Goats Scheme fraud, remain behind bars after being denied bail by Harare regional magistrate, Mrs Marehwanazvo Gofa. The decision, announced in a packed courtroom, has cast a long shadow over the controversial scheme, raising serious questions about its integrity and the government’s commitment to fighting corruption.
The prosecution, led by Mr Anesu Chirenje, painted a damning picture of the accused, arguing that their release would pose a significant risk to the ongoing investigation and the integrity of the justice system. “These individuals have already interacted with witnesses during the tender negotiations with the Ministry of Lands,” Mr Chirenje stated, “and their release would allow them to influence or intimidate those witnesses, potentially undermining the entire investigation.”
The State’s case hinges on allegations that Chimombe and Mpofu forged documents to secure the tender for supplying 600,000 goats under the Presidential Goat Scheme, a flagship project launched by President Mnangagwa aimed at revitalizing Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector and contributing to the nation’s economic growth. The prosecution presented a compelling narrative, emphasizing the gravity of the alleged fraud and its potential to derail the scheme’s success. “The actions of the accused have already disrupted the Presidential Goat Scheme, a project crucial to President Mnangagwa’s vision of achieving an upper middle-income economy by 2030,” Mr Chirenje asserted.
The State’s case was further bolstered by a wealth of documentary evidence, including a memo circulating on social media, allegedly written by the accused, claiming that they had received US$4 million from the government for the project. “This memo, along with a purportedly fake National Social Security Authority (NSSA) clearance certificate and a forged compliance certificate in the name of Blackdeck Pvt Ltd, all point towards a deliberate attempt to defraud the government,” Mr Chirenje argued. Additional minutes recorded by the Ministry of Lands during their meeting with Blackdeck Pvt Ltd, as well as an affidavit from Mr Chirenje, further strengthened the prosecution’s position.
The prosecution also expressed concerns about potential public unrest if Chimombe and Mpofu were released on bail. “The public is already deeply concerned about corruption, and releasing these individuals could further erode public trust in the government,” Mr Chirenje warned, “especially given Zimbabwe’s upcoming role as the host of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit.”
In her ruling, Mrs Gofa underscored the seriousness of the charges and the potential for witness interference. “The accused have failed to present a robust defense that would mitigate these risks,” she stated, “and therefore, their continued detention is necessary to ensure the integrity of the judicial process.”
The denial of bail leaves Chimombe and Mpofu in a precarious position, facing the weight of the evidence against them as they strive to prove their innocence. Their next court appearance is scheduled for August 7, at which point their case will be transferred to the High Court for trial.
All hell broke loose when Mike Chimombe and his business partner Moses Mpofu, through leaked audios, accused their ‘partner in crime’, ex-convict businessman Wicknell Chivayo of fraudulently changing their contract between South African company Ren-Form and Better Brands to supply voting material to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).
In these recordings, Chimombe and Mpofu claimed that Chivayo had fraudulently altered a contract between South African company Ren-Form and Better Brands, which aimed to supply voting materials to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) during the 2023 general elections. The lucrative US$40 million tender was intended for the provision of biometric voter registration kits and other crucial electoral materials.
On April 24, 2024, Chimombe and Mpofu expressed their vehement dissatisfaction with the alleged breach of contract in a letter addressed to Ren-Form. What is interesting, however, is that their presidential goat scheme saga quickly got traction resulting in the duo swiftly getting arrested, while Chivayo’s ZEC $40 million scandal appears to be slowly suffering a natural death without anyone getting arrested.
