Chimombe denies role in US$7.7m goats tender scandal

BUSINESSMAN Mike Chimombe took the stand yesterday, determined to dismantle allegations that he orchestrated a multimillion-dollar scam tied to the Presidential Goats-Pass-On Scheme.

In his evidence-in-chief, Chimombe rejected the prosecution’s claims that he colluded with a rival company, Blackdeck Pvt Ltd, to secure a tender his own company, Millyteck, had lost.

“I could not have helped Blackdeck win a tender when my own company was competing for the same opportunity,” he said.

Led by his lawyer, Advocate Garikai Sithole, Chimombe painted a picture of misplaced accusations and a narrative that did not hold water.

The charges stem from accusations that Chimombe and his associate, Moses Mpofu, misrepresented facts to the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development to funnel US$7.7 million from a scheme meant to empower rural farmers.

Chimombe, however, distanced himself entirely from the rival company, stating: “I have no relationship with Blackdeck. I am neither a director nor a shareholder. Mpofu is my friend, yes, but we never sat down to prepare any documents for that bid.”

He dismissed the prosecution’s suggestion that he had any involvement in Blackdeck’s tender preparation, adding that he was not in a position to comment on the validity of documents submitted by the company, including ZIMRA and NSSA compliance certificates.

The courtroom shifted its focus to testimony from Ministry official Alban Mhindurwa, who alleged Chimombe had attended meetings at the Ministry’s offices to advance Blackdeck’s interests.

Chimombe admitted to attending a single meeting—but not as a representative of Blackdeck. Instead, he said he was there at Mpofu’s invitation, acting in his capacity as president of the Economic Empowerment Group (EEG).

“I introduced myself as the leader of EEG and even handed out my business cards. The claim that I represented Blackdeck is simply not true,” he said.

Chimombe also addressed accusations from another key witness, Dr John Basera, the former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry.

Dr Basera had testified that Chimombe was “all over the show” making decisions for Blackdeck, but Chimombe dismissed these claims as baseless.

“Dr Basera failed to clarify many aspects of his testimony,” he said, adding that his presence at the national launch of the Presidential Goats-Pass-On Scheme in Chipinge was purely political.

“As a Zanu PF Central Committee member, it is my duty to attend the President’s events and support Vision 2030.”

He did, however, acknowledge that Blackdeck was within its rights to subcontract third parties for goat supplies, a point on which his testimony aligned with Dr Basera’s.

Still, he questioned why he, as just one of many subcontractors, was being singled out.

“I am being traumatised. Fifteen months in custody for a case that has nothing to do with me. I never participated in Blackdeck’s tender process,” he said.

As his testimony concluded, Chimombe openly challenged the logic of his arrest.

“Why am I the only one arrested when Blackdeck had numerous subcontractors? This is unjust,” he said, leaving the courtroom to await the cross-examination by prosecutor Whisper Mabhaudi, set for tomorrow.

The prosecution has alleged that Chimombe and Mpofu submitted forged ZIMRA tax clearance and NSSA compliance certificates to secure the tender, turning a scheme meant to uplift rural communities into a vehicle for personal gain.

Payments were made, but no goats were delivered, prosecutors claim.

Initially, Chimombe sought a discharge at the close of the State’s case but later withdrew the application, opting instead to clear his name through testimony.

His defence team has consistently maintained that the allegations are baseless and rooted in a misunderstanding of his role. Herald