BUSINESSMEN Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu, who were recently convicted of a US$7,7 million fraud involving a goat tender and sentenced to 12 and 15 years, respectively, have vowed to continue fighting for their freedom through an appeal to the Supreme Court.
The two, who spent close to two years at Harare Remand Prison, were transferred to Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison soon after High Court judge Justice Pisirayi Kwenda handed down the judgment, concluding a protracted two-year legal battle.
Chimombe told NewsDay from Chikurubi during a family visit that his lawyers are pushing to ensure an appeal is filed with the Supreme Court so that both the conviction and sentence can be reviewed.
“I believe a different judge can arrive at a different ruling,” Chimombe said.
“It is important that we fight to prove our innocence so that we can finally be free and go home to our children.
“We are not here to fight anyone, but just to clear our names.”
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The Zanu PF central committee member said he remained a member of the ruling party and had no intention to fight it over his prolonged incarceration, which many believe is politically motivated.
Mpofu expressed optimism about their appeal, confirming that their lawyers have already begun the appeal process.
He added that since moving to Chikurubi, where security is tight, he is making the best of the situation while hoping for a swift appeal hearing.
Friends and family gathered around the two men, who last set foot in their homes about two years ago shortly after returning from a trip to China.
They flew back and voluntarily handed themselves over to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, which had expressed interest in interviewing them.
They were denied bail on a number of occasions, until their recent conviction.
Mpofu and Chimombe were convicted of using forged documents to secure a tender to supply 632 001 goats under a government livestock pass-on scheme.
The contract was supposed to be paid in three instalments.
The tender was awarded to Blackdeck (Private) Limited, but prosecutors said an unregistered entity, Blackdeck Livestock and Poultry Farming, later signed contractual documents with the Agriculture ministry.
On review, Blackdeck was found not to possess a valid tax clearance certificate for 2021 and that a QR code on an National Social Security Authority compliance certificate belonged to a different company — Skywalk Investments.
Following the award of the tender, the Agriculture ministry paid ZWL1,6 billion — equivalent to US$7 712 197 at the time — in two instalments in 2022.
By the end of 2022, however, only 4 208 goats, valued at US$331 445, had been delivered.