The High Court has denied a bail appeal by businessmen Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu for the second time, according to ZimLive. The duo faces serious charges of defrauding the state of approximately $7 million in a botched presidential goat supply initiative linked to a government-issued tender.
High Court Judge Pisirayi Kwenda made the ruling on Wednesday, emphasizing that the pair should proceed to trial as scheduled by the State. Prosecutors contended that since a trial date has already been established, the bail appeal was effectively moot.
Justice Kwenda stated, “The objection by the State to the hearing of this appeal based on mootness is upheld and the appeal is dismissed.” He noted that this was his first experience presiding over a bail appeal involving individuals already indicted for trial.
“If you are already appearing in a certain court, that court is supposed to deal with that matter,” he explained. “You cannot be appearing in Court A and then go to Court B to apply for bail when that same matter is being heard in court.”
The judge suggested postponing proceedings until October 1, just 33 days before the trial is set to begin, underscoring the importance of waiting for the trial to commence.
Prosecutor Anesu Chirenje detailed the allegations against Chimombe and Mpofu, which include forging a Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) tax clearance certificate and a National Social Security Authority (NSSA) compliance certificate under the name of Blackdeck Private Limited. Blackdeck was awarded the tender by the Ministry of Lands to supply goats under the presidential goat pass-on scheme.
The State alleges that Blackdeck misrepresented its compliance status, with investigations revealing discrepancies in the QR code and references related to NSSA. Additionally, Blackdeck was reportedly deregistered from the NSSA system in January 2016 and did not possess a valid ZIMRA tax clearance for 2021.
In 2021, the government launched the presidential goat pass-on scheme to help alleviate poverty among underserved households. The Ministry of Lands issued a tender for the supply of goats, which closed on September 17, 2021. A contract was subsequently signed with Blackdeck on November 16, 2021, for the delivery of over 632,000 goats, valued at approximately $87.7 million.
Despite receiving substantial funds—totaling over $7.7 million—for the goats, it is alleged that Chimombe and Mpofu only delivered 4,208 goats worth about $331,445. Furthermore, they are accused of misappropriating over $7.3 million for personal use.
Critics have raised concerns that Chimombe and Mpofu’s legal troubles may be linked to their alleged revelations of corruption involving high-ranking state officials related to the procurement of electoral materials for the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission ahead of the August 2023 elections.
As the case unfolds, it remains to be seen how these allegations will impact the accused and the broader implications for governance and accountability in Zimbabwe.
Add comment