Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba
Senior Reporter
A 58-year-old supply chain manager at the Grain Marketing Board Aspindale Depot, has been jailed for one year effective for corruption involving 599 bags of Compound D Superfert fertiliser worth over US$19 000.
Obert Safuli Zhoya was convicted by the Harare Magistrates’ Court for criminal abuse of duty as a public officer.
In May 2024, 599 bags of Compound D Superfert fertiliser were transferred from GMB Sadza Depot to GMB Mt Hampden Depot for use in grain-for-fertiliser swaps with farmers.
On May 9, 2025, Zhoya hatched a plan to sell the fertiliser as written-off stock.
He engaged a local company, Madamara Investments (Pvt) Ltd, to selling the fertiliser at US$1 per 50kg bag, instead of the actual value of US$19 168.
Zhoya instructed GMB clerks and assistants to process a false receipt and deposit the money into the GMB account, presenting the deal as legitimate.
Upon verification by the Mt Hampden depot manager, it was discovered that the fertiliser was in good condition and no disposal certificates existed for them.
The transaction was blocked and investigated.
Investigations revealed that the fertiliser was never written off and was meant strictly for farmer swap programmes.
Zhoya was arrested and sentenced to two years in prison with one year suspended on condition of good behaviour.
In a statement, the National Prosecuting Authority said, “Public officers must uphold integrity and follow due processes, corruption at GMB undermines national food security initiatives.”
Peter Tanyanyiwa