MIKE CHIMOMBE VERDICT: Chimombe and Mpofu Found GUILTY in US$7 Million Presidential Goats Scheme Fraud Scandal

Harare – In a landmark verdict today, two influential businessmen – Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu – were found guilty by the High Court in Harare for their roles in a massive tender fraud tied to the nation’s “Presidential Goats Pass-On Scheme”.

Presiding over the case, Justice Pisirayi Kwenda declared that the evidence of forged compliance certificates left “no reasonable doubt” that the defendants deliberately defrauded the government. The ruling is being hailed as a major victory in Zimbabwe’s fight against corruption.

Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu have been remanded in custody following a High Court ruling on October 22, 2025, and are set to return to court on October 31 for the presentation of aggravation and mitigation submissions ahead of formal sentencing. Justice Pisirayi Kwenda’s verdict on the two could result in prison sentences of up to 20 years and possible forfeiture of assets. Prosecutors are pushing for a stern, deterrent sentence to underscore the seriousness of the offence, and as of now, there have been no reports of any delays in the proceedings.

Fraud scheme exposed!

The heart of the case lies in a huge contract awarded to the duo’s company, Blackdeck Livestock and Poultry Farming, under the government’s broader goats-pass-on initiative under President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 agenda. Investigators say:

• In November 2021, Blackdeck was awarded a tender for 32,500 goats, valued at ZWL$1.6 billion (approximately US$7 million at the time).
  
• The company submitted forged documents including a tax clearance certificate from the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority and a compliance certificate from the National Social Security Authority (NSSA).

• The evidence showed that Chimombe and Mpofu owned Blackdeck had never held those certificates, and the QR codes on them linked to other companies.

• Only a tiny fraction of goats were delivered. The Ministry cancelled the contract when it was clear the promised numbers were not supplied.

• Prosecutors maintain that the remainder of the funds were diverted for personal use and the contract was never fulfilled.

Political links & judicial independence

Both businessmen enjoyed strong political connections, which had raised concerns that the case might be subject to interference. Mike Chimombe is a former youth leader of the ruling party, while Mpofu is a well-known entrepreneur. Nonetheless, the court’s decision is being seen as a clear signal that no one is above the law when it comes to corruption and public procurement abuse.

Both men had applied for bail repeatedly but were denied due to flight-risk concerns and the seriousness of the alleged misconduct.

What does this mean for accountability in Zimbabwe?

The verdict has been welcomed by anti-corruption bodies and civil society as a turning point. The Zimbabwe Anti‑Corruption Commission (ZACC) has been accelerating its work: in October 2025 alone it reported seizing assets worth over US$400,000, and flagged a major shift in enforcement.
ZACC Chairperson, Michael Reza, described this outcome as “a powerful message that connection and influence will not shield you from justice.”

Opposition parties and watchdog groups, however, are urging a deeper probe into other contracts connected with the “goats pass-on” scheme – estimated at around US$87 million in total.

So, what happens next?

For Zimbabwe, the outcome may mark a turning point in how public contracts are managed and how firmly accountability measures are enforced. The case highlights a growing intolerance for corruption within government projects and could set a precedent for tighter oversight in future tenders. Beyond the courtroom, the verdict holds broader social significance, as it gives hope to rural beneficiaries who were left without the promised livestock that justice will be served and that stolen public resources may finally be recovered and used for their intended purpose.