Two business partners, Moses Mpofu and Mike Chimombe, have apologized to President Emmerson Mnangagwa and offered to compensate the government for their role in a US$7.7 million fraud case. The pair were convicted of defrauding the State through Blackdeck Livestock and Poultry Farming, a company that secured an US$87 million contract to supply 85,000 goats but only delivered 4,000.

Mpofu expressed regret for the collapse of the Presidential Goat Pass-On Scheme, saying “I want to say to Zimbabweans I’m sorry… Apology was always in my mind, starting from the President.” He admitted Blackdeck used falsified tax documents but distanced himself from direct wrongdoing.

Chimombe’s lawyer, Ashiel Mugiya, said his client is willing to repay the Ministry of Agriculture, citing assets worth over US$1 million, including an US$800,000 Borrowdale home. The prosecution dismissed the offer as insincere, arguing the pair resisted previous attempts to recover the money.

The court will sentence Mpofu and Chimombe on Monday, with prosecutors seeking up to 35 years in prison. The defence is pushing for leniency, citing Mpofu’s apology and Chimombe’s readiness to compensate the state .
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