Harare, Zimbabwe | Fraudsters Businessmen Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu, accused of fraudulently obtaining US$7 million through the Presidential Goat Scheme, were reportedly difficult to apprehend, a Harare magistrate heard on Thursday.
Facing fraud charges for allegedly defrauding the state, Chimombe and Mpofu were placed in custody after their initial court appearance on Wednesday. The State, represented by Anesu Chirenje, opposed their bail.
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Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) investigating officer Gamuchirai Zimunhu testified that the duo had been challenging to arrest, citing their interference with investigations by posting videos of their visits to ZACC offices on social media, which could undermine public trust in the justice system.
Zimunhu detailed the difficulties faced in locating and apprehending the accused, recounting a prolonged manhunt on June 25 and the accused’s failure to appear at scheduled times. Despite promises to surrender, Chimombe and Mpofu did not comply, leading to their eventual surrender on Wednesday.
The charges against them include forging ZIMRA tax clearance and NSSA compliance certificates for Mpofu’s company, Blackdeck Private Limited, to win a tender for supplying goats under the Presidential Goat Scheme.
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The State alleged that the certificates were falsified, with QR codes and references belonging to different companies. Blackdeck was contracted by the Ministry of Lands and received payments totaling ZWL1.6 billion (approximately USD7.7 million).
However, a verification process revealed a significant shortfall in the number of goats supplied, leading to the contract’s cancellation.
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