Tinotenda Hove -Businessmen Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu were on Wednesday found guilty of defrauding the Zimbabwean government of US$7 million in a fraudulent scheme linked to the Presidential Goat Scheme Programme.

The duo, operating through their company Blackdeck Pvt Ltd, were convicted for submitting forged documents to secure the lucrative tender.

The High Court, led by Justice Pisirayi Kwenda and assisted by assessors Margaret Chitsiga and Temba Kuwanda, delivered the verdict after a protracted trial. Chimombe and Mpofu now await sentencing.

The case has reignited public scrutiny over their associate, Wicknell Chivayo, raising questions about whether he was indirectly involved or avoided accountability due to his perceived influence. Both men’s connection to Chivayo fuels debate over whether certain business figures operate with impunity.

Legal analysts note the scandal exposes systemic weaknesses in Zimbabwe’s tendering and oversight mechanisms. “The case highlights how influential networks can manipulate public programmes,” said one observer.

“It also raises questions about accountability when high-profile figures remain untouched.”

While the conviction is a legal milestone, the broader narrative around the Presidential Goat Scheme underscores enduring concerns about transparency, governance, and whether justice can reach those at the top of these networks.