Staff Reporter
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has intensified its crackdown on the misuse of state-provided farming inputs, recently arresting former Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs Minister Reuben Marumahoko.
The arrest marks a significant move in ZACC’s ongoing efforts to root out corruption in the agricultural sector.
Marumahoko faces charges related to the alleged abuse of agricultural resources under the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) commercial farmers’ joint venture program.
According to ZACC, Marumahoko secured farming inputs by falsely claiming that he had the capacity to cultivate 200 hectares of maize on irrigated land.
This assertion earned him a substantial allocation of resources, including 2.5 metric tons of maize seed, 1 300 bags of Compound D fertilizer, and various chemicals meant to support the large-scale agricultural project.
However, investigations have revealed that Marumahoko failed to deliver on his commitments.
Instead of cultivating the promised 200 hectares, he is alleged to have planted only 46 hectares, leaving the bulk of the allocated inputs unused and unaccounted for.
It is further alleged that Marumahoko disposed of the remaining resources, resulting in an estimated financial loss of US$37 950 to ARDA.
This shortfall deprived the project of expected returns, exacerbating challenges in Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector, which relies heavily on well-managed state resources to boost productivity and food security.
ZACC has characterized Marumahoko’s actions as a deliberate act of fraud, emphasizing the extent of the harm caused to the public purse.
The commission highlighted that this misuse of public resources not only reflected a breach of trust but also revealed a calculated effort to divert critical inputs for personal benefit.
In a related case, Marumahoko’s wife, Andy Maririmba, was also arrested on similar charges.
She appeared in court last Saturday, further implicating the family in the alleged misuse of state resources.
Maririmba’s involvement raises additional concerns about possible collusion within the household to exploit public resources for personal enrichment.
Her arrest highlights the broader scope of ZACC’s investigations, which are uncovering patterns of abuse within the ARDA program and beyond.
The arrests of Marumahoko and Maririmba have sparked widespread public interest, with many Zimbabweans viewing these developments as a critical step in the country’s fight against corruption.
The crackdown serves as a strong signal to both current and former officials that the misuse of public resources will not be tolerated.
