Presidential Goat Scheme Fraud: Chimombe & Mpofu's Web of Lies Unravels in Court as State Fights Bail
The high-stakes legal battle surrounding the alleged US$7 million Presidential Goat Scheme fraud intensified as prosecutors presented damning evidence against businessmen Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu during a tense bail hearing at the Harare Magistrates Court.
The state argued forcefully against granting bail, citing a bogus business address as proof of the duo's deliberate attempt to deceive authorities and raising fears that their release could spark public outrage ahead of the upcoming SADC summit.
The Bogus Address: A Deliberate Deception?
In scathing testimony, Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) investigating officer, Gamuchirai Zimunhu, detailed how Chimombe and Mpofu provided a fraudulent address for their company, Blackdeck Livestock and Poultry. Zimunhu explained that Mpofu had listed an under-construction house in Greendale as their place of business, a move the state alleges was a calculated attempt to mislead investigators and obstruct the course of justice from the outset.
ZACC officer Henry Chapwanya corroborated this testimony, painting a vivid picture of the property. He confirmed to the court that the house had no doors or windows and was clearly uninhabitable. The complete lack of basic amenities and the state of the property cast significant doubt on its legitimacy as a business address, reinforcing the prosecution's claim that the duo intended to be untraceable.
The State's Case Against Bail
The state's argument went beyond the risk of flight. Officer Chapwanya expressed grave concerns that releasing Chimombe and Mpofu could lead to public protests and civil unrest. He argued that public outrage over the alleged multi-million dollar fraud is palpable and that granting them bail could undermine peace and security at a critical time for the nation.
This concern is amplified by Zimbabwe's preparations to host the upcoming SADC summit. The prosecution argued that any public disorder would not only be a domestic issue but could also jeopardize a major international event, potentially embarrassing the country on a global stage. This elevates the bail hearing from a simple fraud case to a matter of national interest and security.
A Web Still Unfolding
With the weight of the evidence and the national security implications, the bail hearing was adjourned to Tuesday. The court must now carefully consider the compelling arguments presented by state prosecutors and the ZACC investigating officers. As the case against Chimombe and Mpofu continues to build, further details about the alleged fraud and the full extent of their deceptive practices are expected to be revealed, keeping the nation watching closely.
Frequently Asked Questions
They are accused of defrauding the Zimbabwean government of up to US$7 million through the Presidential Goat Scheme. They allegedly received payment for goats that were never delivered or were substandard, through their company, Blackdeck Livestock and Poultry.
The prosecution's key evidence is that they provided a bogus address for their company—an uninhabitable, under-construction house with no doors or windows. This is being presented as proof of their intent to deceive authorities.
The state argues they are a flight risk and, more significantly, that their release could trigger public protests and disorder. This is a major concern as Zimbabwe prepares to host the international SADC summit, making the case a matter of national security.
The bail hearing was adjourned to Tuesday for continuation and for the magistrate to consider the evidence presented. A ruling on whether they will be granted bail will be made after the proceedings conclude.
David (Solar Sales)