Farm Mechanisation Scheme 2007
The Farm Mechanisation Scheme was a project implemented by the Zimbabwean government in 2007 in an attempt to boost agricultural production in the country. The scheme was championed by then governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, Dr. Gideon Gono. The program targeted the country’s newly-resettled farmers who were then helped with farm implements on a rent-to-buy basis.
The programmed was riddled with corruption and more than US$200 million was pumped into the four-phase farm mechanisation programme which did not produce expected results.
It was reported that a significant number of the senior political elite, including Gono, gave themselves irrigation schemes, brand new tractors, combine harvesters and implements.
The loans were not returned and the MPs voted that they be written off.
Background
Agricultural mechanisation is often a result of induced technical change in which development and application of new technologies is endogenous to the economic system. Mechanisation has the potential to expand production; improve timeliness of operations; widen the application of power to crop processing, irrigation and infrastructure improvement; compensate for labour shortages; and alleviate drudgery. It is report that 100 000 beneficiaries got farm implements under the scheme depending on their respective category.
Rationale behind the Mechanisation Programme
The Mechanization Programme was conceived as part of the broader and swifter measures to revitalize and recapitalize the agricultural sector of the country in the long term and consolidate the gains of the Fast Track Land Reform Program. It was launched in 2007. As a strategic national developmental program, the intervention has significantly transformed the equipment and productive landscape of the sector by mechanizing both communal and commercial farmers. Under the program, thousands of pieces of equipment (tractor drawn and animal drawn implements) have been distributed to thousands of beneficiaries across the country to enable them to produce at optimal levels and achieve food security and sustenance. This has resulted in a critical mass of farmers being empowered to achieve the program’s strategic long term vision of food security. This empowerment was intended to translate into accelerated economic growth by way of increased productivity and greater returns from the empowered farmers. The Mechanization Programme was part of the ongoing efforts to anchor lasting productivity in agriculture in order to promote food security.[1]
Mechanisation Implements
The mechanisation implements where allocated in categories. There were two categories of farm implements which were Category 1 that dealt with the Animal Drawn implements and Category 2 which dealt with Tractor Drawn Implements (Mechanised). The implements included ploughs, harrows, planters, cultivators, knapsacks, tractors, etc.
Conditions applicable
- One should have had a farm (A1) to benefit from the mechanisation programme
- One should have had a piece of land (A2)
- One should have had a record of past production
Recipients
The BSR of 18 July 2020, reported on the 2007 RBZ Farm Mechanisation Scheme, as a result of the Fast Track Land Reform Programme.
The data is analysed by recipients origin:.
- Mashonaland provinces had the most beneficiaries, both in terms of numbers and value.
Mashonaland East got US$47,5 million,
Mashonaland West US$44,7 million
Mashonaland Central had US$34,2 million.
- Two Matebeleland provinces had a combined total of US$13,9 million.
- Masvingo US$26,4 million,
- Manicaland US$18 million
- Midlands US$14 million.
The beneficiaries were listed by groups.
The Politicians
Former President Robert Mugabe’s name never features directly on the list of beneficiaries.
| Name | Position | Loan value |
|---|---|---|
| “H.E.” | ? | Equipment worth US$145,691.00 |
| “Zimbabwe House” | Zimbabwe House is the property opposite the State House along Chancellor Avenue, the presidential residence | Equipment worth US$1,14 million |
| Pamberi Investments | ? | Equipment worth US$1,3 million |
| Kutama Day Secondary School | Located in Zvimba | Equipment worth US$2,239,109.00 (including between 90-100 tractors) |
| Emmerson Mnangagwa | Current President, his farm, Pricabe Enterprises | US$411,728.00 |
| Joseph Msika | Late former Vice President | US$678,867.00 |
| Joice Mujuru | Former Vice President | US$131,200.00 |
| The “Mujuru Project” | ? | US$311,868.00 |
| Phelekezela Mphoko | Former Vice President | US$40,664.00 |
| Obert Mpofu | Former Minister | Equipment worth US$383,796.00 |
| Walter Chidhakwa | Former Minister | US$400,267.00 |
| Patrick Chinamasa | Former Minister, Tsukumai Farm | US$350,463.00 |
| Sydney Sekeramayi | Former Minister | US$331,222.00 |
| Munacho Mutezo | Former minister, Ferncarry Farm | US$335,181.00 |
| Didymus Mutasa | Former minister | Goods worth US$203,797.00 |
| Oppah Muchinguri | Minister of Defence and ZANU PF Chairperson, Middlepos Farm | US$383,131.00 |
| Rugare Gumbo | Former minister | US$316,767.00 |
| Flora Buka | Former minister | US$331,972.00 |
| Francis Nhema | Former minister | US$129,035.00 |
| Ignatius Chombo | Former ZANU PF Secretary for Administration and minister | US$248,601.00 |
| Christopher Mushohwe | Former minister, Beverly Hills Estate | Two tranches at US$289,565.00 and US$48,574.00 for a total of US$338,139.00 |
| Nyasha Chikwinya | Former minister | US$151,143.00 |
| Ray Kaukonde | Former Mashonaland East Governor | US$231,139.00 |
| Martin Dinha | Former Governor and Provincial Affairs Minister for Mashonaland Central | US$378,122.00 |
| Nicholas Goche | Former State Security Minister | US$305,608.00 |
| Olivia Muchena | Former Agriculture Minister | US$376,470.00 |
| Elliot Manyika | A Minister and ZANU PF political commissar who died in a car accident in 2008 | US$312,500.00 |
| Mike Madiro | Former deputy minister, Wilton Farm | US$319,727.00 |
| Simbarashe Mumbengegwi | Former Foreign Affairs Minister | US$312,979.00 |
| Bright Matonga | Former Deputy Minister | US$359,420.00 |
| Edna Madzongwe | President of the Senate between 2005 and 2018 | US$325,368.00 |
| Webster Shamu | Former minister | US$302,715.00 |
| Christopher Mutsvangwa | Former minister, Pegreach Moncris Farm | US$80,699.00 |
| Paul Mangwana | Former minister | US$58,956.00 |
| Victor Matemadanda | Former minister | US$25,534.00 |
Other Ministerial Beneficiaries
| Name | Amount |
|---|---|
| Chenhamo Chimutengwende | US$98,780.00 |
| Lazarus Dokora | US$82,719.00 |
| Sithembiso Nyoni | US$7,097.00 |
| Sylvester Nguni | US$53,600.00 |
| Joel Biggie Matiza | US$46,949.00 |
| Apollonia Munzverengi | US$59,662.00 |
| Ambrose Mutinhiri | US$68,321.00 |
| Mike Bimha | US$73,877.00 |
| David Chapfika | US$79,936.00 |
| Petronella Kagonye | US$94,761.00 |
| David Parirenyatwa (Tambawakaguta Farm) | US$88,631.00 |
| Mandi Chimene (Tasendekerapano Farm) | US$37,520.00 |
| Samuel Undenge | US$70,935.00 |
| Jason Machaya | US$49,700.00 |
| Josiah Hungwe | US$99,511.00 |
| Joram Gumbo | US$39,869.00 |
| July Moyo | US$42,450.00 |
| Owen Ncube | US$38,000.00 |
| Frederick Shava | US$62,217.00 |
| Davis Marapira | US$54,293.00 |
| Makhosini Hlongwane | US$108,767.00 |
| Kindness Paradza | US$118,485.00 |
| Peter Haritatos | US$38,000.00 |
Political Referees: Judges
| Name | Position | Loan value |
|---|---|---|
| Godfrey Chidyausiku | The late Chief Justice | Machinery and equipment worth US$381,946.00 |
| Mishrod Guvamombe | Former Chief Magistrate | US$107,848.00 |
| Justice Paddington Garwe | Supreme Court judge | US$92,986.00 |
| Justice Alfas Chitakunye | Supreme Court judge | US$92,685.00 |
| Justice Tadios Karwi | Supreme Court judge | US$95,732.00 |
| Justice Tendai Uchena | Supreme Court judge | US$89,382.00 |
| Justice Lavender Makoni | Supreme Court judge | US$87,984.00 |
| Elizabeth Gwaunza | Deputy Chief Justice | US$62,534.00 |
| Justice Cheda | Supreme Court judge | US$69,729.00 |
| Justice Antonia Guvava | Supreme Court judge | US$68,380.00 |
| Justice Ben Hlatshwayo | Judge | US$49,801.00 |
| Justice Charles Hungwe | Judge | US$46,640.00 |
| Justice Tawanda Chitapi | Judge | US$44,817.00 |
| Justice Susan Mavangira | Judge | US$33,695.00 |
| Justice Vernanda Ziyambi | Judge | US$33.695.00 |
| Custom Kachambwa | Former senior magistrate | US$42,947 |
| Ennie Marie Gowora Marie-Anne Gowora | Supreme Court judge [[Nyamera Farm] | US$48,600.00 |
| Morgan Nemadire | Senior magistrate | Generator worth US$1,299.00 at Nemadzime Village |
Political referees: Prosecutors and legal advisers
| Name | Position | Loan value |
|---|---|---|
| Johannes Tomana | Former Attorney General | Goods worth US$63,583.00 |
| Florence Ziyambi | Senior member of the Attorney General’s Office | US$63,982.00 |
| Advocate Prince Machaya | Attorney General, listed at Blackeney Farm | US$46,752.00 |
Political Referees: Commissions
| Name | Position | Loans value |
|---|---|---|
| Brigadier General Douglas Nyikayaramba | Head of the predecessor to ZEC in 2007/08 | US$169,972.00 |
| Lovemore Sekeramayi | Chief Elections Officer | US$46,858.00 |
| Tobaiwa Mudede | Registrar | Two loans worth a total of US$250,896.00 |
| Zimbabwe Electoral Commission | The Commission itself | Given hundreds of motorbikes worth US$197,244.00 |
| Gabriel Chaibva | Commissioner of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission | US$88,623.00 |
| Mabel Chinomona | President of the Senate | US$119,805.00 |
Politically Exposed Persons
| Name | Position | Loans value |
|---|---|---|
| Bingu wa Mutharika | Was married to a Zimbabwean and had a farm in Zimbabwe | US$124,111.00 |
| Maphid Albert Mnangagwa | related to Emmerson Mnangagwa | US$93,111.00 |
| Gerald Mlotshwa | son-in-law of Emmerson Mnangagwa | US$59,605.00 |
| Joseph Chinotimba | a ZANU PF MP | Machinery and equipment worth US$163,401.00 including 2 Massey Ferguson tractors |
| Pupurai Togarepi | ZANU PF Chief Whip in Parliament, New Brookline Farm No. 1 | near Ngezi River is listed as owing US$72,547.00 |
| Obediah Moyo | Former Minister of Health | US$130,963.00 |
| Tariro Mupfumira | Son of former Minister Prisca Mupfumira | listed twice - US$112,581.00 (Mash West) and US$59,499 (Masvingo) for a total of US$172,080.00. |
| Temba Mliswa | MP | US$462,999.00 |
| Nomsa Mliswa | ? | US$58,017.00 |
| Wicknell Chivhayo | ZESA solar power project in Gwanda | US$48,315.00 |
| Wilson Manase | Lawyer, new Executive Chairman of Chivayo solar power company | US$297,015.00 |
| Dr Sydney Gata | ZESA Executive Chairman | US$50,600.00 |
| Basil Nyabadza | Rockingstone Farm | US$72,574.00 |
| Simba Nyabadza | PEP | Two tranches amounting to US$99,718.00 |
| Simon Nyabadza | PEP | US$76,139.00 |
| Takudzwa Nyabadza | PEP | US$20,900.00 |
| Michael Nyabadza | PEP | US$125,633.00 |
| Father Nyabadza | Priest | US$72,574.00 |
| Leo Mugabe | former President’s family | US$100,885.00 |
| Sabina Mugabe | Leo’s mother, Robert’s sister | US$66,680.00 |
| Bridget Mugabe | Sabina’s sister | US$42,720.00 |
| Albert Mugabe | Former head of ZINARA, Robert’s nephew | US$64,792.00 |
| Patrick Zhuwao | Robert’s nephew | US$93,000.00 |
| More Mugabe | ? | US$50,120 |
| Kaitano Mutandwa Mugabe | ? | US$63,251.00 |
| Constancia Mugabe | ? | US$44,879.00 |
| Innocent Matibiri | Former senior police officer | Two loans totalling US$403,825.00 |
| Maseline Matibiri | ? | US$15,976.00 |
| Silence Matibiri | ? | US$117,176.00 |
| Plaxedes Matibiri | ? | US$27,514.00 |
| Malvern Matibiri | ? | US$44,879.00 |
| John Masese Matibiri | ? | US$31,167.00 |
| Albert Nyakuedzwa | Folkington Farm | US$286,853.00 |
| Nobert Nyakuedzwa | PEP | US$59,300.00 |
| Dr Douglas Mombeshora | Former Minister | US$312,528.00 |
| Sekuru Mombeshora | PEP | US$98,539.00 |
| Lucy Mombeshora | PEP | US$78,145.00 |
| Gideon Mombeshora | PEP | US$91,953.00 |
| Augustine Mombeshora | PEP | US$60,118.00 |
| Christine Tsvakwi | PEP | US$405,967.00 |
| Ray Tsvakwi | PEP | US$177,799.00 |
| Rephias Tsvakwi | PEP | US$34,318.00 |
| Dakarayi Mapuranga | PEP | US$52,943.00 |
| Sheunesu Mupepereki | PEP | US$82,466.00 |
| Vimbai Chivaura | PEP | US$108,326.00 |
| Claudios Mararike | PEP | US$86,708.00 |
| Reuben Barwe | Media personality | US$79,607.00 |
| Judith Makwanya | Media personality | US$35,984.00 |
| Pikirayi Deketeke | Zimpapers CEO | US$44,860 |
| George Chisoko | Assistant editor at The Herald | US$340,616.00 |
Senior Civil Servants
| Name | Position | Loans value |
|---|---|---|
| Munyaradzi Kajese | Head of protocol | US$468,150.00 |
| Mariyawanda Nzuwa | Chief of the Public Service Commission | Two loans amounting to US$317,775.00 |
| Misheck Sibanda | Chief Secretary to the President and the Cabinet | Two loans totalling US$351,148 |
| Innocent Tizora | Senior staffer, managed state residences | US$149,481.00 |
| Ambassador Boniface Chidyausiku | brother to the late Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku | Two loans of US$209,791.00 in 2008 and US$66,225.00 in 2007 for a total of US$276,016.00 |
| Willard Chiwewe | Senior civil servant and governor of Masvingo | US$429,512.00 |
| Karikoga Kaseke | Former head of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority | US$58,299.00 |
| Tinaye Chigudu | Former governor | 3 separate loans amounting to US$435,647.00 |
| George Charamba | Spokesperson for former President Mugabe, Deputy Chief Secretary and spokesperson for President Mnangagwa | Machinery and equipment worth US$127,723.00 |
| Justin Mupamhanga | Permanent secretary | US$135,230.00 |
| Martin Rushwaya | Permanent secretary | US$84,543.00 |
| Virginia Mabhiza | Permanent secretary | US$37,683.00 |
| Judith Kateera | Permanent secretary | US$43,487.00 |
| Eric Harid | Permanent secretary | US$74,264 |
| James Manzou | Permanent secretary | US$63,967.00 |
| Nancy Sifeku | Head of NatPharm | US$38,895.00 |
| Gershem Pasi | ZIMRA | Two loans valued at US$70,099.00 |
| Austin Zvoma | Former Clerk of Parliament | US$75,807.00 |
| Happison Muchechetere | Ex-head of the ZBC | US$82,476.00 |
The Clergy
| Name | Position | Loan value |
|---|---|---|
| Archbishop Ezekiel Guti | Archbishop | US$116,693.00 |
| Nolbert Kunonga | Preacher | US$98,661.00 |
| Agatha Kunonga | Preacher | US$58,318.00 |
| Rutendo Andrew Wutawunashe | Preacher | US$18,200.00 |
| Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi | Bishop | Two loans of US$271,000.00 and US$315,600.00 for a grand total of US$586,600.00. |
References
- ↑ Evangelista Mudzonga, Tendai Chigwada [1], Trade Knowledge Network, Accessed: 24 July, 2020
- ↑ https://www.bigsr.co.uk/single-post/2020/07/18/BSR-EXCLUSIVE-Beneficiaries-of-the-RBZ loan of US$325,368.00-Farm-Mechanisation-Scheme BSR EXCLUSIVE: Beneficiaries of the RBZ Farm Mechanisation Scheme], Big Saturday Read, Published: 18 July 2020 Retrieved: 18 July 2020
