Online Reporter
Trust Freddy
Herald Correspondent
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) successfully recovered more than 4 000 bags of fertiliser and seized a truck in a joint operation.
The assets recovered collectively were valued at over US$170 000.
This major joint operation targeted the abuse of agricultural inputs intended to mitigate the effects of the El Niño-induced drought during the 2023–2024 season.
The latest statistics also come at a time when the anti-graft body is warning that any attempt to abuse or divert farming inputs for the 2025–2026 season will be dealt with the same severity as past offences.
Giving an update of the 2024 annual report during the Commission’s 5th annual General Meeting held last week in Harare, Mr Michael Reza reiterated the commission’s commitment to curb agricultural inputs abuse, saying that significant progress was recorded last year.
“In 2024, the commission led a joint operation involving the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA), Grain Marketing Board (GMB), Agritex Department, National Command Centre and the Police to investigate the abuse of agricultural inputs,” reads the 2024 annual report.
“These inputs were provided to farmers with irrigation facilities for maize and sorghum cultivation to mitigate the effects of the El Niño-induced drought in the 2023-2024 agricultural season. However, there are individuals who have abused the scheme. They would receive inputs and sell them.”
He also added that over 4 000 bags of fertilisers were recovered.
“The operation resulted in the recovery of 155 tonnes of Compound D fertiliser (3 110x50kg bags), valued at US$115 475, and 47.65 tonnes of Ammonium Nitrate fertiliser (953×50 kg bags), valued at US$37 644, bringing the total value of recovered goods to US$153 119.
Mr Reza also revealed that further parallel financial investigations led to the seizure of an eight-tonne Hino Truck, valued at US$20 000.
“In addition, parallel financial investigations were conducted, leading to the seizure of an eight-tonne Hino Truck, valued at US$20 000 suspected to have been bought from the proceeds of the sale of the fertilisers.”
The warning also comes when agricultural inputs have already been delivered to at least six of the country’s eight rural provinces, raising expectations that farmers will be adequately prepared for the 2025/2026 summer cropping season.
At least 30 000 tonnes are expected to have reached all wards by next week, allowing for an efficient distribution process.
