The controversial US$88 million Presidential Goat Scheme spilled into Parliament last week with opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) members demanding President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ouster for his alleged involvement in grand corruption.
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) last week said it is investigating Mnangagwa’s associates Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu for abusing millions intended for the Presidential Goat Scheme.
A Zacc internal report revealed that the pair spent the millions on a bling lifestyle buying expensive top of the range vehicles and luxurious houses.
According to the report, the duo used an unregistered company, Blackdeck Livestock and Poultry Farming, to secure the US$88 million tender to supply goats under the presidential scheme.
The pair claimed each goat was going for at least US$137.
Mpofu and Chimombe potentially face charges of contravening section 113 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act chapter 9:23 relating to theft of trust property, and section 8(2) of the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act.
The duo is also involved in a Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) scandal with controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo in which they allegedly corruptly got a US$40 million tender to supply electoral material for the 2023 general election.
However, Zec on Friday issued a statement denying the reports that it was dealing with Chivayo, Chimombe and Mpofu.
The Zec and Presidential Goat scandal was, however, at the centre of debate in Parliament last week as opposition legislators demanded answers.
CCC Member of Parliament (MP) Catson Matewu raised the matter in Parliament, but the speaker Jacob Mudenda stifled the debate.
Matewu said the public accounts committee must summon Lands and Agriculture minister Anxious Masuka to explain the goat scandal.
“Your statement would have made sense and laudable if Zacc had not taken steps to investigate the issue on the same lines you have just stated now,” Mudenda said
“The investigation has started if you have been following the press.
“The two suspects are out of the country as indicated by their lawyers.
“The lawyers are saying that they will present themselves to Zacc and answer whatever quarries are going to be raised by Zacc , so the horses have bolted unfortunately thank you.”
However, Matewu said Mudenda was offside.
“I am not debating it,” Matewu said.
“I only wanted to say the public accounts committee must call the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture to come and explain.”
Also in Parliament, Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi was at pains to defend Mnangagwa following claims that he was surrounded by criminals.
There have been growing concerns over Mnangagwa’s strong links with controversial figures such as convicted criminal Chivayo.
Mbizo legislator Corban Madzivanyika questioned Ziyambi about the government’s ability to prosecute alleged criminals close to Mnangagwa.
“Do you have the capacity to arrest and prosecute criminal elements that are allegedly close to the presidium of this country, if not is it possible to invoke what was invoked in November 2017?” Madzivanyika asked.
Ziyambi demanded evidence to support the claims.
“I want to thank the honourable member for the question, but you need to furnish me with concrete proof of the claims made against the president and his associates,”Ziyambi answered.
In 2017, the army issued a statement saying it was targeting criminals around the late president Robert Mugabe, a development that led to chain reaction of events leading to his ouster.
CCC spokesperson Promise Mkwananzi yesterday said the law must take its course.
“There is definitely a prima facie case against these three people and we expect the law will take its course on them,” Mkwananzi told The Standard in an interview.
“We also expect Zacc to probe them and possibly secure their first conviction against the millions they have squandered in futility in the past.”
Mnangagwa promised to fight corruption when he assumed office.
Critics have, however, said Mnangagwa cannot fight graft since he has been cited as one of the main actors.
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) said the country was witnessing state capture under Mnangagwa’s rule.
“What Zimbabwe is currently facing under President Emmerson Mnangagwa can be described as a form of criminal state capture by his associates who are involved in corrupt business with the president,” CiZC said in a statement.
“The abuse of power by individuals like Wicknell Chivhayo and crew, and their corrupt ties to the president, is leading to bullying and intimidation of government departments, parastatals, the police force and Chapter 12 institutions to obtain tenders and illegally divert state funds into their own pockets.
“The constitution is being put to the test, and we must protect its authority at all costs. In defending the constitution, we are defending Zimbabwe, the liberation struggle, and the future and well-being of the people of Zimbabwe.”
The coalition urged Zimbabweans to take a stand against corruption.
“It is disheartening to see the links between the illicit Zec funds and the turmoil in parliament,” it added.
“The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition urges all Zimbabweans, including those in the ruling Zanu PF party, to come together to uphold and defend the constitution, revive the principles of the liberation struggle, safeguard the honour of the office of the president, free the judiciary and parliament, and ensure that the hopes of ordinary Zimbabweans take precedence
“The level of corruption goes much deeper and wider than what has been reported in the media.
Therefore, we demand the immediate establishment of a commission of inquiry to thoroughly investigate state capture and the Zec scandal.
“Those found on the wrong side must face justice.
“We call upon all citizens, including those in Zanu PF, war veterans, youth, women, business professionals, workers, miners, farmers, and those in the diaspora to unite and take decisive action to promote and protect our constitution.”