Controversial businessman Moses Mpofu appeared before the High Court this week, defending his firm’s role in the now-contested US$7 million goat project, and maintaining that all procedures were followed, including the submission of a legitimate bank guarantee.
Mpofu testified that his company provided a bank guarantee from MetBank to the Ministry of Agriculture as a financial safeguard for the contract. The document, dated February 2022, was tendered in court as Exhibit 18.
He told the court that the Ministry only proceeded with awarding the contract after it had verified the authenticity of the guarantee. “It was only after confirmation of the bank guarantee’s legitimacy that I was called to the Ministry to formally sign the agreement,” Mpofu said.
Responding to accusations of misrepresentation, Mpofu denied using an unregistered company to secure the multimillion-dollar deal. He explained that while the agreement was drafted under the name “Black Deck Livestock and Poultry”, the correct legal entity involved is Black Deck Private Limited.
He said “Black Deck Livestock and Poultry” was simply a trading name used by the registered company. This distinction, Mpofu added, had already been clarified in court by a legal officer from the Ministry of Agriculture, who testified earlier in the proceedings.
The goat project, which has drawn public scrutiny over allegations of irregularities, was intended to boost livestock production and rural development.
The matter has been adjourned to August 4, when the hearing will continue.
ALSO READ : Mnangagwa Opens COP15 with Call for Urgent Global Action on Wetland Conservation
For comments, Feedback and Opinions do get in touch with our editor on WhatsApp: +44 7949 297606 or Email: editor@thezimbabwetimes.co.zw.
