Default on Justice: The Strategic Fallout as Mpofu and Chimombe Miss $3M Restitution Deadline
Harare • March 3, 2026
The Restitution Gap. A critical milestone in state asset recovery has been missed as the US$3 million restitution deadline for the Presidential Goat Scheme passed without a single cent recovered. Jailed business partners Moses Mpofu and Mike Chimombe have failed to meet the February 28 High Court mandate—a default that now triggers significant legal implications for their remaining sentences and the state's broader asset forfeiture strategy.
| Forensic Failure: Capital meant for rural household development remains unaccounted for following the missed deadline. |
Judicial Consequences. The failure to repay the misappropriated funds shifts the narrative from rehabilitation to strict enforcement. As the Ministry of Lands confirms a zero-update status on the recovery, the focus now turns to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). Without restitution, the suspended portions of the duo's sentences are likely to be reinstated, while the state may move toward aggressive asset attachment to liquidate the outstanding US$3 million debt.
Prof. Jiri, Perm Sec
"We have not received an update, yet."
The Cost of Default
The duo was sentenced in December 2025 for defrauding the Government of over US$7 million. The court offered a partial suspension of their prison terms if restitution was made by February 28.
- Moses Mpofu (50): Sentenced to 22 years. 4 years suspended on condition of repaying US$2,060,250.60.
- Mike Chimombe (44): Sentenced to 17 years. 2 years suspended on condition of repaying US$964,064.64.
With the deadline passed, they now risk serving the full duration of their sentences unless a court extension is granted.
The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development confirmed that no payments have been received. Permanent Secretary Professor Jiri stated simply, "We have not received an update, yet."
The Presidential Goat Scheme
The Presidential Goat Pass-On Scheme was designed to improve food security, nutrition, and incomes for Zimbabwe's most vulnerable groups, including orphans and the elderly in rural households.
The project aimed to distribute over 500,000 goats nationwide, a massive empowerment initiative that was crippled by fraud.
Mpofu and Chimombe's fictitious company, Blackdeck Livestock and Poultry Farming, secured an US$87 million government contract using forged documents.
They presented fake tax clearance certificates from Zimra and NSSA to mislead officials into awarding the tender.
Anatomy of the Fraud
The Payout
They received an advance payment of ZWL$1.6 billion (approx. US$7.7 million at the time).
The Diversion
Instead of buying goats, the funds were diverted into other accounts and traded on the black market for personal gain.
Of the required 85,000 goats they were paid to supply initially, the pair delivered only 4,208. The vast majority of the contract remained unfulfilled, leaving beneficiaries empty-handed.
The judge noted that the crime was "carefully planned" and caused significant "reputational harm to the Government."
The Legal Road Ahead
Despite missing the payment deadline, the legal battle continues. The Supreme Court is set to hear the duo’s application for leave to appeal their conviction and sentence this Friday.
The hearing will take place in chambers, just a week after the restitution deadline elapsed. They may also still petition the High Court to request an extension of time for payment, a desperate bid to avoid the full weight of their prison terms.
Justice Delayed?
As the legal process drags on, the primary victims—the rural households meant to benefit from the goat scheme—remain without compensation.
The failure to repay the US$3 million underscores the challenges of asset recovery in high-profile corruption cases, leaving the government with a massive financial hole and a lesson in procurement vigilance.
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