Prominent ZANU PF figure and businessman Mike Chimombe, along with his associate Moses Mpofu, have filed an application for the dismissal of their $7 million fraud case. The charges stem from an alleged failed livestock supply contract tied to a government program.
The defense, led by lawyers Tapson Dzvetero and Ashiel Mugiya, argues that the prosecution has not presented enough evidence linking Chimombe to any deliberate misrepresentation during the Ministry of Agriculture’s tender process.
Court filings allege that the pair misrepresented Blackdeck Livestock and Poultry Farming as a legally registered company with proper tax clearance. While the company was contracted to deliver 85,691 goats, it reportedly provided only 4,208 after receiving a payment of ZWL$1.6 billion (about US$7.7 million), leaving the government shortchanged by roughly US$7.4 million.
The defense team has challenged the credibility of the prosecution’s case, pointing out the absence of direct links between Chimombe and the documentation submitted during the bidding process. They also highlighted the lack of clarity on what role, if any, Chimombe played during meetings with ministry officials, noting that no official minutes of those meetings have been produced.
“There is no evidence showing that any false statement was made by Mr. Chimombe, whether orally or in writing,” Dzvetero stated in court. “In the absence of clear proof, he should not be forced to present a defense.”
Lawyers emphasized that Chimombe participated in the tender process through his own company, Millytake Enterprises, which ultimately did not win the bid. They also noted that Chimombe’s name does not appear anywhere in Blackdeck’s company records—as a director, shareholder, or employee.
“Even if Mr. Chimombe and Mr. Mpofu share a personal friendship, that alone doesn’t make Mr. Chimombe liable for the operations or decisions of Blackdeck,” the legal team argued, urging the court to dismiss the charges and issue a not guilty verdict.
This case continues to garner widespread interest due to its ties to politics, public procurement, and agriculture in Zimbabwe. Legal experts say the court’s decision on the discharge application may be a turning point in determining whether the matter will go to a full trial.
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