HARARE, Dec. 8 (NewsDay Live) – Harare businessmen Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu have been sentenced to 20 and 25 years, respectively, after being found guilty of fraud.
They will, however, spend 12 and 15 years, respectively, after three years were suspended on condition of good behaviour and two years for restitution in the case of Chimombe.
In the case of Mpofu, three years were suspended on condition of good behaviour and a further four years on condition of restitution.
The court credited the 27 months the two they have spent in prison during the trial.
High Court judge, Justice Pisirayi Kwenda sentenced the two in Harare on Monday.
The court found that the two businesspeople engaged in aggravated fraud by misusing public funds
Last Wednesday, Justice Kwenda convicted Chimombe and Mpofu for their involvement in a US$7,38 million corruption scandal from a Presidential Goat Pass-on Scheme.
This resulted in the government losing US$7,38 million.
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After being awarded the tender, the government paid ZWL1,6 billion in two instalments in 2022, equivalent to US$7 712 197 at the time.
But by the end of 2022, only 4 208 goats, valued at US$331 445, had been delivered.
Both Chimombe and Mpofu have said they will appeal against the conviction and sentencing.
