THE presidential goat scheme scandal involving Zanu PF-linked businesspersons has taken a new twist, with the company named in the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) investigations, Blackdeck (Pvt) Limited, yesterday saying Mike Chimombe was not part of the company.
The Zanu PF central committee member and his business partner Moses Mpofu allegedly went on a merry-making spree after securing a US$88 million tender to supply goats under the presidential scheme.
Chimombe and Mpofu presented themselves to Zacc on Monday this week and were reportedly advised that they will be summoned for interviews in due course.
In an update on the investigation of the presidential goat scheme dated June 7, 2024, the duo used an unregistered company, Blackdeck Livestock and Poultry Farming to secure the US$88 million tender.
However, in a statement yesterday, the company said Chimombe was not a shareholder or director of Blackdeck (Pvt) Limited, adding that he was also not a signatory to its accounts.
“We did not receive US$40 000 000 from the government of Zimbabwe. Our tender was awarded based on our lowest bid meeting specifications and we take exception to allegations of corrupt practices,” the company said.
Blackdeck (Pvt) Limited said it participated in the tender process conducted by the Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development ministry alongside three other companies.
It said Blackdeck was awarded the tender as the lowest bidder after meeting the required specifications.
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“On November 16, 2021, Blackdeck entered into a contract with the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development to supply goats over a five-year period,” it said.
The key contract terms, according to Blackdeck, was the supply of goats including 15 557 Mashona Buck, 16 444 Matebele Buck, 360 895 Mashona Doe and 239 105 Matebele Doe over five years.
The company was also expected to honour a one-year supply of 3 113 Mashona Buck, 3 292 Matebele Buck, 72 179 Mashona Doe and 47 821 Matebele Doe.
“Cumulatively total payments received amounted to RTGS1 600 000 000 (approximately US$4 282 885,45 at the interbank rate).
“The funds were used to cover the procurement of the goats, set up holding pens and goat centres, provide vaccination and general veterinary services to the goats (and) logistics to different provinces.
“It also provided security, feeding of the goats while in quarantine, tagging and salary and labour-related costs of the employees, among many other costs and expenses,” the company said.
The company further indicated that on August 19, 2022, the ministry wrote to Blackdeck informing it of the cancellation of the contract for its convenience.
“Despite the ministry’s purported cancellation, Blackdeck has so far supplied over 5 000. Negotiations regarding the cancellation are ongoing and Blackdeck remains committed to fulfilling its contractual obligations,” the company said.
In its update, Zacc said Chimombe and Mpofu received funds from Treasury, but did not deliver the goats as agreed.
Instead, they converted the funds to personal use and purchased luxurious houses and vehicles.
Mpofu and Chimombe potentially face charges of contravening section 113 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23] relating to theft of trust property and section 8(2) of the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act.
“Investigations that ensued established that on November 16, 2021, the government of Zimbabwe represented by the Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development ministry entered into a contract agreement with Blackdeck Livestock and Poultry Farming represented by Moses Mpofu valued at US$87 757 168 for the supply and delivery of 632 000 goats over a period of five years,” the report said.
“Investigations conducted established that there is no company registered in Zimbabwe as Blackdeck Livestock and Poultry Farming. Rather, there is Blackdeck Private Limited registered on February 12, 2015 with two directors being Moses Mpofu and Phinas Hazvineyi Kabisira.
“Investigations further established (that) the two parties agreed that the Lands ministry will make advance payment of 30% to Blackdeck Livestock and Poultry Farming towards the purchasing of the said goats.
“The total amount transferred by the Lands ministry to Blackdeck to date is ZWL$1,6 billion or US$7 712 197,10 converted at interbank rate,” the report said.
It is said Mpofu and Chimombe were given an advance payment of US$40 million by Treasury for them to supply goats meant to support underprivileged households across the country under the President’s initiative.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa launched the project in 2022, aiming to distribute 632 000 goats with improved genetics across the country, targeting youth, women and vulnerable populations.
The programme was part of government’s Rural Development 8.0 initiative, aligning with the country’s vision to achieve an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.
The duo is also involved in a Zimbabwe Electoral Commission scandal where it allegedly corruptly got a US$40 million tender together with convicted criminal Wicknell Chivayo to supply electoral material for the 2023 general elections.
Zacc this week said it wanted to interview Chivayo, Chimombe and Mpofu for suspected money laundering.
