Crimes and Courts
HARARE – Businessman Moses Mpofu has taken the stand in the high-profile US$87 million goat tender case, firmly denying allegations that his co-accused, Mike Chimombe, was involved in the operations of his company, Blackdeck Private Limited.
The two are accused of defrauding the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development of over US$7.7 million in a scheme linked to the Presidential Goats-Pass-On Scheme.
Under cross-examination by Chimombe’s lawyer, Arshiel Mugiya, Mpofu sought to delineate their roles, stating that Chimombe’s company, Millyteck, was a separate bidder and not part of Blackdeck during the tender process.
“His company, Millyteck, was a bidder in the tender. He had nothing to do with Blackdeck,” Mpofu told the court.
The prosecution alleges that the two conspired to defraud the state, using forged ZIMRA and NSSA compliance certificates to secure the multi-million dollar contract, with funds paid out but goats largely undelivered.
When questioned about Chimombe’s presence at a meeting with the Ministry, Mpofu clarified the circumstances.
“He attended that meeting as a leader of the Economic Empowerment Group to resolve disputes between Blackdeck and the Ministry over the contract’s performance,” Mpofu testified, emphasising that Chimombe was invited by Blackdeck only after the tender was awarded.
Mpofu further distanced his associate from key negotiations. Dismissing claims that Chimombe influenced an addendum to the contract, Mpofu stated,
“He was not there. I’m certain he was out of the country in South Africa at the time.”
The defence painted Chimombe’s involvement as peripheral, arguing his attendance at the launch of the national goats’ scheme was purely political—a point Mpofu corroborated.
On the financial transactions, Mpofu confirmed payments to Chimombe’s company but framed them as legitimate subcontracting fees. He said Blackdeck subcontracted Millyteck and other companies to supply goats, an arrangement he claimed was permitted by the Ministry.
Despite the defence’s arguments, Justice Pisirayi Kwenda had previously ruled that the State presented a prima facie case, rejecting Mpofu’s bid for a discharge.
Chimombe, who initially sought a discharge, withdrew the application and is set to testify on Wednesday.
The courtroom now awaits Chimombe’s evidence-in-chief as this major fraud case continues to unfold.
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