by Christopher Makaza
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has intensified the monitoring of Agricultural Inputs under the Presidential Pfumvudza Agricultural Inputs Scheme following reports of abuse and misuse by officials involved in the transportation and distribution process.
In a Press Statement yesterday, the ZRP revealed that due to continued misuse of the Pfumvudza inputs, they have intensified security in the storage and movement of the inputs from the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) depots as well as the distribution process.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police advises the public that following reports of theft, misuse and abuse of Presidential Pfumvudza Agricultural Inputs and the recent arrest of suspects in several parts of the country, Police and other security services have intensified monitoring and security of the inputs from distribution, movement to Grain Marketing Board (GMB) depots and accountability by all officials and community members involved in the scheme,” reads part of the statement.
The statement further highlighted that the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement made it clear that the Pfumvudza inputs are not for sale, therefore the public should report all beneficiaries, officials and individuals who are reportedly approaching farmers to acquire the inputs for resale in hardwares and shops around the country.
In the Press Statement, the ZRP applauded members of the public who are coming forward with information regarding theft of the Pfumvudza inputs, encouraging the public to report any suspicious cases on Harare telephone number 0424 7488836 or Bulawayo number 029885479 or the National Complaints Desk on 0242 703631 or on WhatsApp number 0712800197.
Recently, two people were arrested in Karoi of fraud involving the Pfumvudza inputs at Michele farm, where a village head and his secretary connived and obtained inputs which included compound D fertiliser, Ammonium Nitrate, Soya bean and maize seed, on behalf of 96 villagers including the dead, from the GMB.
In Mhangura, six GMB security workers were also nabbed for theft of the Pfumvudza Inputs.
Relatedly, Bulilima Rural District Council (RDC) Chairman and ward councillors in Bambadzi, Zoolakes Nyathi were also recently arrested for charging villagers for the transportation of the Pfumvudza inputs against Government’s directive that it will be meeting all transport costs.
