Chatunga Bellarmine Mugabe has sparked debate with his sarcastic birthday message to President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, as the Head of State marked his 83rd birthday.
Posting on Facebook, Chatunga wrote that the President should “go and see Victor and collect a brand new tractor, pick a Mercedes Benz of your choice, and in addition go and collect 300 goats from Mike Chimombe.”
The remark quickly drew attention because of its pointed reference to businessman Mike Chimombe, who is currently facing serious fraud charges linked to the Presidential Goat Pass-On Scheme.
Chimombe, along with business partner Moses Mpofu, is accused of defrauding the government of approximately US$7 million through his company, Blackdeck Private Limited. The funds were meant to procure and distribute thousands of goats under the presidential empowerment programme.
Against this backdrop, Chatunga’s message was read by many as more than a lighthearted birthday wish. To some, it was a satirical reminder of unfulfilled promises and corruption scandals tied to government-linked programmes.
Regardless of interpretation, the timing of the message ensured that Mnangagwa’s birthday was not only marked by celebration but also by renewed public scrutiny of the goat scheme scandal still hanging over Chimombe and his associates.
