Mike Chimombe and Mpofu Face Property Seizure as State Moves to Recover Millions

WOES continue to mount for jailed businessmen Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu, with the State now seeking to confiscate their properties following their conviction in a US$7 million fraud case.

This comes as the duo, who could face a minimum 20-year jail term, await sentencing set for November 17.

The State has indicated its intention to apply for a confiscation order under Section 50(1) of the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act Chapter 9:24.

The law empowers authorities to trace, seize, and confiscate assets suspected to have been acquired through criminal activity.

Prosecutors say some of Mpofu and Chimombe’s properties were bought using proceeds from the controversial goat tender fraud.

“We had given notice in terms of section 50(1) of the Money Laundering Act,” said prosecutor Whispher Mabhaudhi while seeking a postponement of the case on Friday.

Mabhaudhi added that the State’s application is ready but is pending the uploading of the court’s written judgment.

According to NewZimbabwe, Justice Pisirayi Kwenda, who convicted the pair, said their separate judgments would be available by next Wednesday.

The two are expected back in court on November 14 for pre-sentencing proceedings, with sentencing scheduled for November 17.

Mpofu and Chimombe were found guilty after spending over a year in remand prison.

The fraud involved falsified documents submitted through their company, Blackdeck Private Limited, during a Ministry of Lands and Agriculture tender for 632,001 goats worth US$87 million under a national livestock scheme.

Investigations revealed that the contract was signed by an unregistered entity, Blackdeck Livestock and Poultry Farming, with Mpofu representing the company and Chimombe as a witness.

The company lacked a valid ZIMRA tax clearance certificate, and its NSSA compliance QR code belonged to another firm, Skywalk Investments.

Relying on these misrepresentations, the ministry paid ZWL$1.6 billion, equivalent to US$7.7 million, in two instalments in April and June 2022.

Only 4,208 goats worth US$331,445.25 have been delivered, leaving the government out of US$7,380,751.85.

“After the Ministry of Lands realised that they were being deceived by the accused persons, they then cancelled the contract on August 29, 2022,” said the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe.