The government has not yet recovered the US$3 million lost through fraud committed by jailed business partners Moses Mpofu and Mike Chimombe.
The two were sentenced by the High Court of Zimbabwe in December 2025 for defrauding the government of more than US$7 million under the Presidential Goat Pass-On Scheme. Their restitution deadline of 28 February 2026 passed without any payments being made.
Mpofu (50) received a 22-year prison sentence, while Chimombe (44) was sentenced to 17 years. Parts of their sentences were suspended on condition that they repay the stolen funds.
The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development confirmed that no money has been recovered so far. Permanent Secretary Professor Jiri said, “We have not received an update yet.”
If they fail to make payment, the two may apply to the High Court for an extension of time to settle the restitution.
Investigations revealed that the pair used forged documents to secure a government contract to supply goats to rural households. Only a small fraction of the promised deliveries was ever made.
