24 Kids, $3 Million Net Worth, and a 35-Year Shadow
Court Report: The Presidential Goat Scheme Saga Reaches Climax
In a dramatic pre-sentencing hearing that spilled well into the night, convicted businessmen Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu laid bare their personal lives in a bid for leniency. Revealing a combined brood of 24 children and a net worth of nearly US$3 million, the duo faces a determined State prosecutor demanding a statutory maximum of 35 years in prison for the US$7.38 million fraud that rocked the government.
A Football Team of Dependents
Chimombe stunned the court with the extent of his responsibilities. He revealed he has three wives and 15 children. Crucially, he emphasized that all 15 children are minors who depend entirely on him for their livelihood and education.
Mpofu submitted that he fathers nine children, ranging in age from a 25-year-old adult to a six-year-old minor.
"In football terms, the two businessmen could stage a friendly match featuring their children on holiday, with the luxury of having one substitute on either side."
Beyond family duties, Chimombe cited personal health struggles as grounds for leniency, disclosing that he suffers from both Diabetes and High Blood Pressure.
The Lifestyle Behind the Scandal
Despite claiming limited education (Chimombe stopped at O-Level), the duo amassed significant wealth before their conviction.
CHIMOMBE'S ASSETS
Est. Monthly Income: $20,000
Borrowdale Home ($800k) | Chinhoyi Home ($120k)
MPOFU'S NET WORTH
Est. Net Worth: $1.5 Million
Monthly Income: ~$15,000 | Farm Owner
The Presidential Goat Scheme Fraud
- Allocated Funds: ZWL 1.6 Billion (approx. US$7.71 Million at the time).
- Goats Delivered: Only 4,208 (valued at US$331,445).
- The Shortfall: 103,382 goats missing.
- Total Prejudice: US$7.38 Million lost by the Government.
Mpofu took the stand to apologize directly to the President and the nation:
"I want to apologise on behalf of Blackdeck... that we failed to verify or perform due diligence, that the ZIMRA Tax clearance and NSSA certificate were genuine... The papers were fraudulent and I stand in court today to admit that we failed on our part."
The State's Push for 35 Years
While the defense argued for shorter sentences citing the 18-month pre-trial incarceration and family responsibilities, the State remained unmoved.
The prosecutor argued that the court must send a "strong message to wannabe offenders." Key aggravating factors included:
- Public Funds: The crime involved stealing from a national empowerment programme.
- Common Purpose: Both men acted together and share equal culpability.
- No Restitution: To date, no funds have been recovered or repaid to the government.
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