The Presidential Input Scheme Marred With Corruption

By Shingirai Vambe

Government has availed ZWL $350 million and 250 000 litres of fuel towards the distribution of farming inputs to 2.3 million rural households including the peri-urban population. The Grain Marketing Board (GMB) depots around the country will play a pivotal role in the distribution of these implements.

Makoni North Legislator, James Munetsi told parliament that there was, “confusion around the country, between GMB depots and transporters including government”, in the distribution of implements.

“Transporters from my area are failing to take up government’s offer because it’s too low,” said Munetsi.

“Investigations are underway following allegations that citizens are being asked to pay kickbacks from US$2 to $4 by Agritex and GMB officers, councilors and headsmen. This alleged syndicate then shares the remainder of the money after giving transporters their share”, said Ziyambi Ziyambi, the leader of government business in Parliament.

While talking to Post On Sunday, Ziyambi said, “No one is supposed to pay a dime because this is a Presidential Input Scheme.”

“Investigations are underway around the country to establish this sinister collaborative work between councilors, chiefs, headsman and government officials working at Agritex and GMB, who are double dipping”, Ziyambi explained.

Zimbabwe’s Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, Climate and Rural resettlement, Dr. Anxious Masuka told Post on Sunday that, “This is all about fuel which is being sold in US dollars. Government has disbursed 250 000L of fuel which will be deducted from their payments which are however denominated in Zim dollars.”

The relationship between the government controlled official exchange rate and the parallel market continues to widen causing a resultant glaring disparity rendering a complex monetary conundrum in Zimbabwe.

In a snap survey that this publication did, a fortnight ago, the majority of households have since received their inputs and are very excited with the government’s timeous distribution. Villagers are hopeful that the rainy season will usher in a bumper harvest and avert possible hunger.

Meanwhile CBZ bank has failed to respond to questions regarding its operations and inconsistences cited by citizens and monopoly on the command agricultural scheme