Goat Scheme Fraud: Chimombe & Mpofu Face Asset Seizure as Sentencing Looms in US$7M Heist
The legal troubles for convicted businessmen Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu have deepened as the State initiates a bold move to confiscate their properties following their conviction in a high-stakes US$7 million fraud case. With the duo's sentencing postponed to November 17, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) is now preparing to argue for the forfeiture of assets believed to be the proceeds of their elaborate crime against the presidential goat scheme.
By Mary Taruvinga | Updated November 2, 2025
Sentencing Postponed
The High Court has postponed the sentencing of Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu to November 17, 2025, after the prosecution announced its intention to apply for an asset confiscation order. This legal manoeuvre aims to strip the businessmen of properties suspected to have been acquired using the illicit funds from the fraudulent tender.
Prosecutor Whispher Mabhaudhi informed the court on Friday that the State's application was ready but could only be formally submitted after the court's written judgment from the conviction is officially released. "We had given notice in terms of section 50(1) of the Money Laundering Act," Mabhaudhi stated, referencing the law that empowers the State to seize proceeds of crime. Justice Pisirayi Kwenda confirmed the written judgments would be available by next Wednesday, setting the stage for the next phase of this legal battle.
Anatomy of the US$7 Million Fraud
After a lengthy trial that saw them spend over a year in remand prison, Chimombe and Mpofu were found guilty of orchestrating a sophisticated fraud against the government. The State successfully proved that the duo used their company, Blackdeck Private Limited, to commit a multi-layered deception:
The Bait: A National Development Project
In September 2021, the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture invited bids for a US$87 million tender to supply 632,001 goats for the Presidential Goat Pass-On Scheme, a national program aimed at alleviating poverty.
The Deception: Forged and False Documents
Blackdeck Private Limited won the tender using a series of misrepresentations. Investigations revealed that the company had no valid tax clearance from ZIMRA, and the NSSA compliance certificate it submitted featured a QR code belonging to an unrelated firm, Skywalk Investments. Furthermore, the final contract was signed not by the registered Blackdeck Private Limited, but by an unregistered entity named "Blackdeck Livestock and Poultry Farming," with Mpofu and Chimombe signing as representative and witness, respectively.
The Payout and Failure to Deliver
Relying on these fraudulent documents, the ministry paid the company ZWL$1.6 billion—equivalent to **US$7.7 million** at the time—in two installments in April and June 2022. The company subsequently failed to deliver the goats. When pressed, it falsely claimed to have 32,500 goats ready for distribution, but a government verification team found only 3,713 on the ground. This led to the contract's cancellation in August 2022.
The State's Forfeiture Bid
The State's application to confiscate the duo's properties is a significant step under the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act [Chapter 9:24]. This law is designed to prevent criminals from benefiting from their illegal activities by allowing the NPAZ to trace, freeze, and ultimately seize assets linked to a crime. The prosecution's move signals a robust effort to recover the state's losses and send a strong message that crime does not pay.
If successful, this could see Chimombe and Mpofu lose luxury homes, vehicles, and other valuable properties, in addition to facing a lengthy prison sentence.
Context & National Impact
This case is not just about a financial crime; it represents a significant betrayal of public trust. The Presidential Goat Scheme was intended to empower rural communities and enhance national food security. By defrauding a program designed to help the country's most vulnerable citizens, Chimombe and Mpofu's actions have drawn widespread public condemnation.
The high-profile nature of the case has placed it under intense public and media scrutiny, making it a litmus test for Zimbabwe's commitment to tackling high-level corruption. The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) stated that to date, only 4,208 goats worth US$331,445 have been delivered, leaving the government prejudiced of US$7,380,751.85.
What Lies Ahead
The legal process will now unfold on two fronts: the criminal sentencing and the civil asset forfeiture. The key dates to watch are:
- November 14, 2025: Pre-sentencing proceedings, where both the State and the defense will present arguments on mitigating and aggravating circumstances.
- November 17, 2025: The High Court is expected to deliver the final sentence. Chimombe and Mpofu face a potential minimum of 20 years in prison.
The outcome of both the sentencing and the forfeiture application will be closely watched, as it will set a major precedent for how Zimbabwe's justice system handles cases of grand corruption and public fund mismanagement.
FAQs: Mike Chimombe & Moses Mpofu Fraud Case
Get the key facts about the high-profile fraud case involving Zimbabwean businessmen Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu, convicted for defrauding the government under the Presidential Goat Pass-On Scheme.
Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu are prominent Zimbabwean businessmen and directors of Blackdeck Private Limited. They came into the spotlight after being charged with defrauding the government in a multimillion-dollar livestock tender under the Presidential Goat Pass-On Scheme.
In October 2025, the High Court of Zimbabwe found both men guilty of fraud after a full trial. They were convicted for using forged ZIMRA tax clearance and NSSA compliance certificates to secure a government tender worth over US$7 million for supplying 600,000 goats, most of which were never delivered.
The court established that the two used forged documents to make Blackdeck (Pvt) Ltd appear tax compliant and eligible to bid. Their fraudulent paperwork helped them win the lucrative contract to supply goats for the national livestock empowerment initiative.
The State’s evidence showed that very few goats, if any, were actually delivered. Despite receiving an advance payment exceeding US$7 million, Chimombe and Mpofu failed to fulfill the tender obligations, instead submitting falsified progress reports.
Mike Chimombe argued that he was not a director or shareholder of Blackdeck, claiming his company, Militech Enterprises, had independently bid for the same tender. He maintained that he only attended meetings as Chairperson of the Economic Empowerment Group (EEG). The court, however, determined that he acted as a de facto director through his control and involvement in the fraud.
Yes. Both Chimombe and Mpofu have been held in remand prison since June 2024. Multiple bail applications were rejected by the Magistrates Court, High Court, and Supreme Court, citing the seriousness of the offense and risk of interference with witnesses.
Their sentencing is scheduled for November 17, 2025. Pre-sentencing hearings were conducted in early November, with Justice Pisirayi Kwenda presiding over the matter.
Yes. The State has filed notice to apply for the confiscation of properties believed to have been purchased using proceeds from the fraudulent tender. This may include vehicles, real estate, and other high-value assets linked to Blackdeck and its directors.
A separate fraud case against Chimombe and Mpofu, involving a Harare City Council solar street lighting tender, was withdrawn by the State in June 2025. However, Moses Mpofu reportedly faces other pending investigations, including one linked to a bio-gas project.
The case drew massive public attention after an audio leak in which Wicknell Chivayo allegedly boasted of his influence in securing government contracts. Chimombe and Mpofu later accused him of altering a separate US$40 million ZEC tender and sidelining them — though this issue remains distinct from the goat scheme fraud case.
David (Solar Sales)