The High Court is set to deliver the verdict in the high-profile case of Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu, who were found guilty of defrauding the government of US$7 million in the Presidential Goats Scheme tender. The businessmen are expected to be sentenced today before High Court Judge Pisirayi Kwenda.

The defense team, led by Prof Lovemore Madhuku, has requested more time to review the written judgment, citing the need to scrutinize it for mitigation purposes. Madhuku argued that without the written judgment, his clients would be disadvantaged and unable to respond adequately .

The State had initially sought to seize the duo’s properties, but later withdrew the application to focus on sentencing. The NPA has vowed to pursue recovery of the stolen funds after sentencing.

Chimombe and Mpofu were convicted of orchestrating a sophisticated fraud involving false documents and non-existent goats. They face a possible minimum 20-year jail term.

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