Jailed Businessmen Mpofu and Chimombe Challenge Fraud Convictions.

Jailed Harare businessmen Moses Mpofu and Mike Chimombe are set to return to court on Wednesday, seeking leave to appeal both their conviction and sentence in a high-profile fraud case involving over US$7 million. The two were convicted last year after the court found them guilty of defrauding the Government under the Presidential Goat Pass-On Scheme, an initiative designed to economically empower rural communities through livestock distribution .

Through their legal representatives, Mpofu and Chimombe are contesting the outcome of the trial, arguing that the court misdirected itself on both matters of fact and law. They have maintained their innocence and insist that the conviction was unsafe. If the court grants leave to appeal, the matter will be referred to the Supreme Court for determination .

The charges stem from a government tender for the supply of goats under the empowerment program, which was administered by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development. Mpofu, acting through his company, was awarded the tender but failed to deliver the goats despite having received payment, leading to the fraud charges. Mpofu is currently serving a 15-year prison sentence, while Chimombe was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment