Moses Mpofu and Mike Chimombe Risk Losing Properties as State Seeks Asset Seizure
Woes continue to mount for jailed businessmen Moses Mpofu and Mike Chimombe, as the State has applied to have their properties seized under the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act. The move follows their conviction for a US$7 million fraud two weeks ago.
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| Moses Mpofu and Mike Chimombe |
State Targets Assets
During their latest court appearance, the State notified the court of its intention to apply for a confiscation order under Section 50(1) of the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act [Chapter 9:24]. This act empowers the State to trace, seize, and confiscate assets suspected to have been acquired through criminal activity.
Prosecutors believe some of Mpofu and Chimombe’s properties were bought using proceeds from the goat tender fraud. Prosecutor Whisper Mabhaudhi confirmed that the application is ready but has been delayed pending the uploading of the court's written judgment. “Once the judgment is uploaded, then the State will file its application,” he stated.
The Conviction & Sentencing
Moses Mpofu and Mike Chimombe were found guilty of fraud two weeks ago after spending over a year in remand prison. They now face a possible minimum jail term of 20 years.
Justice Pisirayi Kwenda, who convicted the pair, announced that their separate written judgments would be available by next Wednesday. The duo is scheduled to be back in court on November 14 for pre-sentencing proceedings, with the final sentencing expected on November 17.
How the Fraud Worked
The State proved that the fraud originated from false documents submitted by the duo's company, Blackdeck Private Limited, in September 2021. The company bid for a tender from the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture to supply 632,001 goats worth US$87 million for a national livestock pass-on scheme.
After winning the tender, the contract was illicitly signed by Blackdeck Livestock and Poultry Farming, a completely unregistered entity. Mpofu represented this non-existent company, while Chimombe acted as a witness.
Investigations revealed critical misrepresentations:
- Blackdeck Private Limited had no valid tax clearance certificate from ZIMRA.
- The QR code on its NSSA compliance certificate actually belonged to another company, Skywalk Investments.
The Fallout
Relying on these fraudulent documents, the ministry paid ZWL$1.6 billion (then equivalent to US$7.7 million) in two instalments in April and June 2022.
When the company failed to deliver the goats, it falsely claimed to have mobilised 32,500 goats across various provinces. However, a verification exercise revealed that only 3,713 goats were actually available. The Ministry of Lands cancelled the contract on August 29, 2022, after realizing it had been deceived.
To date, only 4,208 goats worth US$331,445.25 have been delivered, leaving the government prejudiced of US$7,380,751.85.
David (Solar Sales)