The Presidential Goat Scheme in Zimbabwe represents an agricultural initiative launched by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2022. The program aims to distribute goats with improved genetics to rural communities across Zimbabwe, targeting vulnerable families, youth, and women. Under the original plan, 632,000 goats would be distributed nationwide, with each of the country's 35,000 villages receiving one buck (male goat) and 17 does (female goats).
The scheme forms part of the government's Rural Development 8.0 initiative, designed to improve livelihoods in rural areas and contribute to Zimbabwe's vision of achieving an upper-middle-income economy by 2030. The program specifically focuses on building resilience among smallholder farmers facing challenges related to climate change, including droughts and food shortages.
The initiative aims to help rural households increase their income through goat farming. With a growing global market demand for goat meat increasing from US$6.9 billion in 2017 to US$8.6 billion in 2022, the sector presents export opportunities. Additionally, the Muslim community reportedly demands two million goats annually for religious festivities, creating a significant market opportunity.
Recipients of the goats received training in goat health, nutrition, rearing, and husbandry practices. They also received complementary resources such as fodder legume seeds and tick grease under the Presidential Tick Grease Program to support successful goat farming.
The program was temporarily halted due to various problems, including supply issues. Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development Minister, Dr. Anxious Masuka, has acknowledged these challenges, stating that the scheme would resume after addressing the identified problems and incorporating lessons learned from previous mistakes.
According to ZACC investigation documents, the Government of Zimbabwe entered into a contract agreement with Blackdeck Livestock and Poultry Farming, represented by Moses Mpofu, on November 16, 2021. The contract, valued at US$87.7 million, was for the supply and delivery of 632,001 goats over five years.
The investigation alleges that after receiving advance payments from the Treasury totaling approximately US$7.7 million (ZWL$ 1.6 billion at the interbank rate), the accused delivered only 4,208 goats valued at US$331,445. ZACC alleges that Chimombe and Mpofu converted approximately US$7.38 million to personal use, purchasing luxury houses and vehicles instead of delivering the contracted goats.
Further investigations revealed that no company registered in Zimbabwe as Blackdeck Livestock and Poultry Farming existed. Instead, Blackdeck Private Limited—registered in February 2015 with Moses Mpofu and Phinas Hazvineyi Kabisira as directors—was the entity that received the funds. The accused allegedly forged tax clearance and compliance certificates to secure the contract.
In late June 2024, Chimombe and Mpofu appeared before Harare magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa, facing fraud charges related to the Presidential Goat Scheme. They were remanded to prison pending bail determination. The State alleges that when confronted about delays in goat delivery, the accused misrepresented that they had mobilized 32,500 goats across provinces, ready for distribution. Still, verification revealed only 3,713 goats in their holding sites.
Following this discovery, the Ministry of Lands cancelled the contract on August 29, 2022. The same businessmen are also implicated in a separate corruption case involving a US$40 million Zimbabwe Electoral Commission tender.
The scandal highlights broader governance challenges in Zimbabwe, particularly regarding the management of agricultural development initiatives. For rural communities that stood to benefit from the scheme, the corruption allegations represent not just financial misappropriation but also lost opportunities for economic advancement and increased resilience against climate challenges.
The scheme forms part of the government's Rural Development 8.0 initiative, designed to improve livelihoods in rural areas and contribute to Zimbabwe's vision of achieving an upper-middle-income economy by 2030. The program specifically focuses on building resilience among smallholder farmers facing challenges related to climate change, including droughts and food shortages.
Benefits of Goat Farming
Goats were selected for this program due to their adaptability and economic potential. These animals require less water than cattle and can thrive in difficult conditions, making them suitable for Zimbabwe's climate-challenged regions. They need minimal manpower to tend and can survive on shrubs and other vegetation available in arid areas.The initiative aims to help rural households increase their income through goat farming. With a growing global market demand for goat meat increasing from US$6.9 billion in 2017 to US$8.6 billion in 2022, the sector presents export opportunities. Additionally, the Muslim community reportedly demands two million goats annually for religious festivities, creating a significant market opportunity.
Initial Implementation and Progress
When initially launched, the scheme showed promising results in certain areas. According to government reports, by April 2023, approximately 4,400 households across Zimbabwe had received goats through the program, with about 300 of these households located in Matabeleland North and South provinces. This distribution reportedly contributed to a 14 percent growth in goat production nationwide, from about 4.26 million in 2021 to 4.89 million in 2022.Recipients of the goats received training in goat health, nutrition, rearing, and husbandry practices. They also received complementary resources such as fodder legume seeds and tick grease under the Presidential Tick Grease Program to support successful goat farming.
Current Status and Implementation Challenges
Despite its ambitious goals, the Presidential Goat Scheme has faced significant implementation challenges. According to news reports from June 2024, approximately 6,922 goats had been distributed across all provinces under the scheme, far below the targeted 632,000 animals. The distribution varied by province, with Manicaland receiving 2,876 goats, Midlands 1,390, Mashonaland East 955, and other provinces receiving smaller allocations.The program was temporarily halted due to various problems, including supply issues. Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development Minister, Dr. Anxious Masuka, has acknowledged these challenges, stating that the scheme would resume after addressing the identified problems and incorporating lessons learned from previous mistakes.
Corruption Allegations
The most serious setback to the Presidential Goat Scheme emerged in mid-2024 when corruption allegations surfaced. The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) launched an investigation into alleged fraud within the program involving businessmen Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu.According to ZACC investigation documents, the Government of Zimbabwe entered into a contract agreement with Blackdeck Livestock and Poultry Farming, represented by Moses Mpofu, on November 16, 2021. The contract, valued at US$87.7 million, was for the supply and delivery of 632,001 goats over five years.
The investigation alleges that after receiving advance payments from the Treasury totaling approximately US$7.7 million (ZWL$ 1.6 billion at the interbank rate), the accused delivered only 4,208 goats valued at US$331,445. ZACC alleges that Chimombe and Mpofu converted approximately US$7.38 million to personal use, purchasing luxury houses and vehicles instead of delivering the contracted goats.
Further investigations revealed that no company registered in Zimbabwe as Blackdeck Livestock and Poultry Farming existed. Instead, Blackdeck Private Limited—registered in February 2015 with Moses Mpofu and Phinas Hazvineyi Kabisira as directors—was the entity that received the funds. The accused allegedly forged tax clearance and compliance certificates to secure the contract.
Legal Proceedings
In late June 2024, Chimombe and Mpofu appeared before Harare magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa, facing fraud charges related to the Presidential Goat Scheme. They were remanded to prison pending bail determination. The State alleges that when confronted about delays in goat delivery, the accused misrepresented that they had mobilized 32,500 goats across provinces, ready for distribution. Still, verification revealed only 3,713 goats in their holding sites.
Following this discovery, the Ministry of Lands cancelled the contract on August 29, 2022. The same businessmen are also implicated in a separate corruption case involving a US$40 million Zimbabwe Electoral Commission tender.
Government Response
The Zimbabwean government, through ZACC Chairman Michael Reza, has vowed to leave "no stone unturned" in investigating the scandal, promising there would be no "sacred cows" in the crackdown on corruption. Meanwhile, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Advocate Jacob Mudenda, announced that Parliament would not pursue its parallel investigation into the Presidential Goat Scheme allegations since ZACC was already handling the case.Moving Forward
Despite these setbacks, the government maintains its commitment to the Presidential Goat Scheme concept as part of its rural development strategy. Plans to revamp and continue the program remain in place, with officials emphasizing the need to learn from past mistakes to improve implementation.The scandal highlights broader governance challenges in Zimbabwe, particularly regarding the management of agricultural development initiatives. For rural communities that stood to benefit from the scheme, the corruption allegations represent not just financial misappropriation but also lost opportunities for economic advancement and increased resilience against climate challenges.
