Chimombe and Mpofu goat scandal prejudice valued a...

Chimombe and Mpofu goat scandal prejudice valued at US$7,3 million

Zim Now Reporter

Confusion around the amount allegedly defrauded from Government by Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu is now placed at US$7,3 million against figures of US$40 million and $5 million previously put in the public domain.

Chimombe and Mpofu appeared in court this Friday charged with converting US$7,380,751 meant to supply goats to disadvantaged beneficiaries for personal use and will be back on Monday for continuation of their bail hearing.

The State is alleging that the duo failed to supply goats after receiving payment and forged ZIMRA tax clearance and NSSA compliance certificates thus misrepresented their eligibility to win the tender.

In a statement issued before their arrest, Mpofu exonerated Chimombe of any involvement in the goat scandal saying that latter is not associated with Blackdeck (Pvt) Ltd, the company that he said won the tender.

The state on the other hand says the tender was not given to Blackdeck (Pvt) Ltd but Blackdeck Poultry and Livestock Farming, and that Blackdeck (Pvt) Ltd was deregistered in 2016.

It is not clear whether Chimombe is listed as a director of Blackdeck Poultry and Livestock Farming.

Allegations are that Blackdeck Poultry and Livestock Farming and Ministry of Agriculture effected a contract signed in November 2021, for the former to supply 632,001 goats worth US$87,757,168.

Ministry paid Blackdeck ZWL$1.6 billion which was the US$7,712,197 at the time and the company only supplied 4,208 goats valued at US$331,445.

In his statement Mpofu alleged that Blackdeck received US$4,2 million and supplied 5000 goats.

Social media reports have banded the figure of US40 million as having been the amount paid by the State to the