ZANU PF official Kudzanai Chipanga appeared before Rusape Magistrates Court on Tuesday, facing charges of theft.
Chipanga, a former ZANU PF Youth Secretary, is accused of stealing Presidential Pfumvudza inputs worth US$11,200 from the Department of Agriculture Research and Extension (AREX) in Makoni District.
He appeared before Rusape regional magistrate Barbra Mateko, who remanded him on US$400 bail to January 30.
Prosecutors did not oppose the granting of bail to the ZANU PF official, unlike opposition members who are often held in pre-trial detention for extended periods, sometimes up to 12 months or more.
Chipanga was ordered to reside at his Wakefield Farm in Headlands, report on Monday and Friday every week at Rusape Rural Police Station until the end of his trial, and not interfere with witnesses or investigations.
He was represented by Mutare lawyer Chris Ndlovu of Gonese and Ndlovu Legal Practitioners, while Event Dhliwayo prosecuted.
Allegations are that on November 27, AREX received 200x50kg bags of ZFC Compound D fertilisers, 100x5kg of SC649 seed maize, and 500 packets of vegetable seed from the Grain Marketing Board Rusape Depot, meant for distribution in Ward 38 in Headlands under the Pfumvudza programme.
The inputs were loaded into a MAN truck (AFJ 6795), driven by Trust Mangwanda, who ferried the inputs to Lawrencedale Primary School, where there was a ZANU PF star rally.
Dhliwayo alleged that after the rally, Chipanga and his alleged accomplices, Innocent Magutakuona, Michael Musekiwa, and Julius Chipfupa, who are still at large, told Noria Gashu of AREX that they would share and distribute the inputs to the people, claiming they had sourced the inputs.
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A ZANU PF official named Kudzanai Chipanga was arrested for stealing materials meant for a farming program. He allegedly took items worth US$11,200. Chipanga was given bail by the court to return later for trial. He was ordered to stay at his farm, report to the police twice a week, and not interfere with the case. Prosecutors did not object to bail, unlike with opposition members who are often detained for long periods. Chipanga and others allegedly took the materials after a political rally. His trial will continue in January.

ZANU PF Official, Kudzanai Chipanga, Arrested

The Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) has condemned the misuse of inputs under the Pfumvudza/Intwasa and National Enhanced Agricultural Productivity Scheme (NEAPS), calling for stricter penalties for offenders.
According to Statutory Instrument 79 of 2017, inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and chemicals provided through these programs must be used solely for their intended purposes, with all contracted produce delivered to designated buyers.
Those found diverting inputs could face fines up to level four, which includes imprisonment for up to three months, a fine, or both. Additionally, any misused inputs or illegally sold produce may be confiscated.
AMA CEO Clever Isaya told <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/ama-decries-inputs-abuse-and-side-marketing/">The Herald</a> that the abuse of agricultural inputs undermines the Government’s efforts to ensure food security, disrupts market stability, and diminishes the economic potential of the agriculture sector. He said:
<blockquote>
Inputs provided under these schemes are a national investment in food security and agricultural resilience. Their misuse not only jeopardises household food security but also reduces the overall agricultural productivity needed to feed the nation.
AMA has established regional offices across the country to help farmers access information on proper marketing channels and compliance requirements.
This move aims to ensure that all farmers from communal to commercial, understand their obligations under the law and the economic impact of non-compliance.
</blockquote>
Programmes like Pfumvudza/Intwasa assist small-holder farmers while NEAPS, on the other hand, enables commercial-scale farming by providing financial and material support.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development Permanent Secretary, Obert Jiri, recently said that individuals who sell or distribute inputs received under the climate-proofed Presidential Inputs Scheme (Pfumvudza) will face arrest.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The AMA is angry because people are using farming supplies in the wrong way. They want stricter rules and punishments for those who do this. People who misuse the supplies can go to jail or pay fines. It's important to use these supplies properly to make sure there is enough food. The AMA is helping farmers know how to follow the rules. Some programs help small farmers, while others support big farms. The government says anyone caught selling these supplies will get in trouble.

AMA Calls For Stricter Penalties To Combat Abuse of Government Farming Inputs

Supporters of opposition political parties in Zimbabwe are reportedly being removed from the lists of beneficiaries for food aid and farming inputs distribution in rural areas.
According to the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) Monthly Monitoring Report for September 2024, the distribution of food aid is occurring along partisan lines.
The report highlights nine separate incidents in which a total of 85 individuals were denied aid due to their political affiliations. Reads part of the report:
<blockquote>
In one of the 19 villages in Ward 8 in Vungu district, only 14 families have been benefiting from government-sponsored food aid in a village of about 65 families.
The narration from some of the victims indicates that when a decision to increase the number of beneficiary households was made, instead of adding from the rest of the families in the village, additional beneficiaries from the ruling party were added from other villages because the rest of the families were deemed unfit due to their political affiliations.
One of the victims narrated: “We are not getting the food rations because they say go and feed from your Father’s plate. We are not even told about the distribution but sometimes we are told by people that our names were on the list and were called out but we do not get the food, meaning someone is benefitting on our behalf”.
In Mwenezi North’s Ward 4, Kraal Head Chitemere is accused of only issuing the Pfumbvudza inputs solely to ruling party supporters, further marginalizing those who do not align with the political elite.
In Mwenezi North, Ward 4 Kraal Head Chitemere of Village 2, discriminately excluded two families from potential beneficiaries of fertiliser under the Pfumvudza supporting scheme stating that they never attend ZANU PF meetings and were not participating in the party activities. He declared the seedling program was for ruling party supporters only.
The families, facing a hostile environment, requested a letter from Chitemere to relocate to other villages but were denied, labelling them CCC members and claiming their movement to other villages would negatively impact others.
</blockquote>
Traditional leaders are reportedly forcing villagers to participate in labour-intensive infrastructure projects, presenting these initiatives as part of a “food for work” program. Reads the report:
<blockquote>
These have been noted in Vungu district in Midlands, Masvingo North, Bikita East, Gutu Central and Mutare North among others. In Ward 10, Mutare North in Manicaland, kraalhead Phanuel Hama Marange is leading the villagers who benefit from the social welfare distributed food aid in making damaged roads.
The villagers work with bare hands and use their own tools such as shovels, wheelbarrows and hoes.
Reports also state that villagers are fined US$1 should they absent themselves. In a similar incident in Bikita South in Masvingo, villagers who wanted to benefit from food aid were assigned duties under the food for work program and worked for two months but have not received the promised aid.
</blockquote>
 
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Opposition supporters in Zimbabwe are being denied food aid and farming inputs because of their political affiliations. The Zimbabwe Peace Project found that 85 individuals were denied help because of their links to opposition parties. Traditional leaders are making villagers work on infrastructure projects in exchange for food aid, with some facing fines if they don't participate. The situation is worsening for opposition supporters in rural areas, with even aid distribution being done along party lines. This unfair treatment is causing hardship for those who don't support the ruling party.

Opposition Supporters Denied Food Aid In Rural Areas | Report

The Minister of Justice, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs, Ziyambi Ziyambi, stated that the Government will not hastily declare the El Nino-induced drought a state of disaster.
According to him, the country remains food self-sufficient. During a Senate session on March 14, he outlined mitigation measures, including expanding winter wheat cultivation, utilizing water bodies, drilling boreholes, and providing food relief to vulnerable individuals.
Midlands Senator, Daniel MacKenzie Ncube (ZANU PF), inquired about the Government’s measures to safeguard citizens from potential exploitation during this challenging situation. In response, Ziyambi said (<a href="https://www.zimlive.com/mnangagwa-under-pressure-to-declare-drought-after-national-yield-decimated/">via the Chronicle)</a>:
<blockquote>
As a country, there is no need to panic or to be worried and declare a state of disaster because we have several measures to mitigate the effects.
I am pleased to inform the House that we have several facilities that will help farmers with centre pivots to increase wheat hectarage. Areas where the centre pivot will be placed have already been identified.
We cannot be beggars when we have several water bodies. There is no need to panic, we will be using multifaceted ways to respond to the situation.
As of now, we are still food self-sufficient. We had a good harvest last season, we are providing food aid to those pockets that are insecure.
</blockquote>
Ziyambi said the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) was holding more than 245 000 tonnes of maize from bumper harvests recorded in past years, meaning some households still had grain stocks. He said:
<blockquote>
We are now assessing the projected harvests. What Cabinet has done is to say we have several water bodies, the immediate solution is to put a bigger area under wheat to substitute maize or barter trade.
So at the moment, we are not panicking because we know the measures we have put in place will help and will ensure that even those with an appetite to fleece people, it will not help, we are also drilling boreholes.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development permanent secretary, Obert Jiri, said dry land maize including what was planted under the Pfumvunza scheme and traditional grains are now a complete write-off owing to drought.
Jiri, addressing the Senate thematic committee on peace and security, reported that Zimbabwe anticipates a harvest of 700,000 to 800,000 metric tonnes from all cereals planted during the 2023/24 summer cropping season due to drought. This falls short of the annual national requirement of 1.2 million metric tonnes.
He said The country’s primary reliance is on irrigated crops, which constitute a modest 3 per cent of the total planted crop. Said Jiri:
<blockquote>
The irritated crop is fair to good; we can get five tonnes per hectare. Pfumvunza crop was fairly good but now it’s not anymore. For traditional grains, we are getting a report of a write-off in some areas.
The dry land crop is now a write-off. This is what we are assessing and last time, 60 per cent was stressed. Now we don’t have any.
The only crop that we are basing our hope on is the irrigated crop. We may salvage a few tonnage from traditional grains, a few from Pfumvunza. But we are in a drought situation.
</blockquote>
Jiri told lawmakers that the country expects not more than 800,000 metric tonnes from irrigation schemes and individual farmers who irrigated their grain crops and traditional grains.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe Remains Food Self-Sufficient Despite Drought - Ziyambi

The presidential agricultural inputs scheme through which communal farmers receive free seed and fertiliser from the Government under Pfumvudza / Intswasa has gobbled ZW$828 billion from the 2023 National Budget.
This was said by the Chief Finance Officer in the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture Peter Mudzamiri while presenting the ministry’s 2024 budget expectations before parliament’s lands committee on Wednesday. Mudzamiri was quoted by <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/presidential-inputs-gobble-800-billion-government-funds/">ZimLive</a> as saying:
<blockquote>
In the 2023 budget, the compensation of employees took $97 billion, CBZ bank guarantee took $69 billion, the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) strategic grain reserve took $132 billion, Zimbabwe agriculture commodity exchange we invested $200 million in that organisation.
Agriculture finance cooperation took $5.5 billion and then the presidential input programme took about $828 billion.
</blockquote>
The money spent on the presidential agricultural inputs scheme was more than the funds spent on key projects such as the construction of dams. Added Mudzamiri:
<blockquote>
Dam construction took $224 billion, the rest of the other ministry land items took $227 billion, the total of all these is $1.5 trillion.
</blockquote>
Critics say the presidential input scheme is a strategy by the ZANU PF party to ingratiate itself with the rural populace in an attempt to prolong its rule.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Govt Spent $800 Billion On Free Presidential Inputs In 2023

Seed houses and fertiliser companies have started the delivery of Presidential inputs to Grain Marketing Board depots and shops across the country, for onward distribution to farmers ahead of the 2023/24 summer cropping season, reported <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/pfumvudza-inputs-distribution-in-full-swing/">The Herald</a>.
The Government is reportedly targetting 3.5 million households to benefit from the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme this upcoming season.
The Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development Minister Anxious Masuka said the early distribution of inputs will boost productivity given that normal to below normal rainfall is expected. He said:
<blockquote>
We are happy to announce that fertiliser, seed maize and other inputs are now in place.
In the face of the anticipated El Nino (phenomenon) we want farmers to use every drop (of rain), so the early disbursement of inputs will go a long way towards boosting productivity.
Apart from the usual Government inputs programme, we are happy to announce that we have NMB Bank coming on board to support 10 000 hectares of crops this summer.
</blockquote>
Masuka said 35 000 tonnes of fertiliser has already been distributed.
Under Pfumvudza, the Government is targeting 250 000ha of sorghum, 126 577ha of maize, 100 000ha of sunflower, 6 230ha of soya beans, 260 000ha of cotton, 7 8120 ha of sugar beans, and 62 500ha of African peas and groundnuts.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Farming Inputs For 2023/24 Summer Season Now In Place - Minister Masuka

The Arbitration Court has ordered the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Grain_Marketing_Board">Grain Marketing Board (GMB)</a> to hike its workers’ salaries by 1000% and pay its least-paid employee US$350 or the equivalent in local currency.
GMB workers were earning US$30 or $29 000 before the court ruling.
According to a court ruling dated March 16, arbitrator Caleb Mucheche ruled in favour of the GMB employees. Mucheche ruled:
<blockquote>
The respondent (GMB) did not produce financial evidence of being a loss-making entity. Consequently, in the final analysis, therefore, I am of the view that it is just and equitable that the claimant be awarded a wage increment of US$350 for the period July to December 2022 payable at interbank rate.
</blockquote>
Silo Food Industries Worker’s Union (SFIWU) president David Chigogo said they would continue pushing until the lowest worker takes home US$700 per month. <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200009138/1-000-pay-hike-for-gmb-workers">NewsDay</a> quotes Chigogo as saying:
<blockquote>
It’s a victory for the employees. We last got an increment in April 2022. However, we are carrying on with the fight because we want the least paid to take a basic salary of US$700. Now that we are done with last year’s business, our focus is now on 2023 first quarter negotiations.
</blockquote>
In November last year, the parastatal’s <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/gmb-workers-threaten-job-action-over-salaries/">workers threatened to down tools over poor salaries</a> which they said has been stagnant since April 2022. This was happening when the Zimbabwe dollar was losing value against other currencies.
They also complained that they were working overtime including during weekends when they were distributing farming inputs under Pfumvudza and the Presidential Input Scheme. 
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

GMB Workers' Salaries Hiked By 1000%

The Agricultural Technical and Extension Services (AGRITEX) has advised farmers producing sunflower under the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme to plant the crop between early November and late December to optimise yields.
Speaking during an interview with <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/plant-sunflower-between-november-and-december-to-optimise-yields/">The Herald</a>, oilseeds specialist in the department of Agritex Kennedy Mabehla said early planting and late planting have a negative impact on yields. He said:
<blockquote>
To boost sunflower hectarage, it is important for farmers to understand the crop requirements to maximise the sunflower yield potential.
The optimum planting time for sunflower is between the beginning of November and the end of December.
This is ideally the time when we receive rain, which is best for plant germination and the establishment of a good plant population.
The temperatures during this period will also be moderate to support plant growth and ultimately ensure good initiation. A warm, cool climate is optimal for sunflower production.
Farmers should remember not to plant early in the summer season (around October and very early in November as the crop may be affected by excessive heat leading to poor germination.
Even if the seeds were to germinate during this period, the high temperature and inconsistent rainfall normally experienced early in the season may cause plants to wither and die.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe requires at least 70 000 tonnes of crude sunflower oil annually, requiring annual production of at least 210 000 tonnes of sunflower seed on 262 000 hectares of land.

"Plant Sunflower Between November And December To Optimise Yields"

The government says it is targetting 3.5 million households for the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Pfumvudza/Intwasa_Farming_Concept">Pfumvudza/Intwasa</a> programme for the 2022/2023 summer cropping season.
This was revealed by the chief director for strategic planning and business development in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Clemence Bwenje, on Thursday.
He was speaking during a capacity building workshop for Parliament’s Agriculture Portfolio Committee that was meant to strengthen legislators’ capacity in monitoring and tracking the Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) allocated to the ministry. Said Bwenje:
<blockquote>
The Pfumvudza scheme is targeting 3.5 million households in communal areas, A1 farmers, old resettlement areas and peri-urban farmers (this year).
The programme will target crops such as maize, traditional grains, beans, sunflower and vegetables.
The input pack will include water retention enhancers that will enhance the water retention capacity of the soil.
You understand that the issue of mulch in most of our areas is a challenge so these water retention enhancers will come in handy.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe Farmers Union president Abdul Nyathi on Thursday welcomed the extension of the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme. He said:
<blockquote>
Pfumvudza has never disappointed since it was introduced. It has been a successful story benefiting both small-scale farmers and commercial farmers.
As farmers, we appreciate the Government for initiating Pfumvudza and increasing the number of households benefiting because it is very reliable and they will see an increased yield.
It is guaranteed that we are given everything that we need including the seed and the yield gives room for exporting maize.
</blockquote>
Pfumvudza is a crop production intensification approach under which farmers ensure the efficient use of resources (inputs and labour) on a small area of land in order to optimize its management.
Pfumvudza involves the utilisation of small pieces of land and applying the correct agronomic practices for higher returns.
It has been defined as a climate-proofing agricultural concept which emphasises the use of conservation farming techniques to make the most out of small pieces of land.
More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/pfumvudza-targets-35-million-households/">The Herald</a>

Pfumvudza To Be Extended To 3.5 Million Households - Govt

The ruling ZANU PF party has been fingered in the abuse of the government’s input scheme, Pfumvudza, by distributing the inputs along partisan lines.
A report by the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) claims that ruling party officials are violating the national constitution through the open partisan distribution of the government sourced inputs. ZPP said:
<blockquote>For example, in Marondera West, about 80 villagers who had gathered at Manyaira Shopping Centre in Ward 10 to receive Pfumvudza inputs in the presence of a Grain Marketing Board Officer, and the District Development Coordinator, were shocked when a Zanu PF Ward Councillor, Nelson Mukwenha, took over the process and denied those suspected to support the opposition.
The incidents were not limited to Pfumvudza inputs as in Hurungwe, at Mashuma Chirasasa village, a Zanu PF Ward Secretary, Livingstone Nzombe diverted the social welfare maize grain and sorghum meant for the elderly and persons with disabilities and distributed it to undeserving people.
… For example, on 1 November, in Gutu North, at Zvavahera Business Centre, Zanu PF legislator Yeukai Simbanegavi allegedly asked those gathered to receive the Pfumvudza farming pack to produce their Zanu PF regalia as a condition to get the aid.</blockquote>
ZANU PF has in the past dismissed the accusations as fake news being peddled by the country’s detractors.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/zanu-pf-hijacks-govts-pfumvudza-programme-amid-partisanship-claims/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NewZimbabwe.com</a></h4>

ZANU PF Accused Of Hijacking 'Pfumvudza' Inputs

Temba Mliswa, the MP for Norton (Independent), has expressed concern over the alleged looting of farming inputs meant for small-scale farmers under the government-funded Pfumvudza programme.
Mliswa implored the Department of Agricultural, Technical and Extension Services (Agritex) to ensure that only bona fide farmers receive the agricultural inputs. He said:
<blockquote>During this time of the season, you see many shops that sell agricultural inputs being set up.
The recent arrest of a councillor and Agritex officers is because of the cartel they have set up to sell government inputs from government.
Agritex must ensure that farmers receiving inputs under the Pfumvudza programme have land.
They must be able to account for it rather being excited that 1.8 million seed packs have been distributed when half of it is being sold on the black market.</blockquote>
In Chegutu, Ngoni Mupfudza (51), who is the councillor for Ward 23, two master sergeants at Jason Ziyapapa Moyo Airbase – Perfect Dhliwayo (36) and Talent Chiota were arrested for stealing farming inputs.
Also arrested for similar offences were two Agritex employees – Margret Manda (49) and Patricia Chemhazo (53), a general had at GMB Pepukai Mamvura (26), Constable Bridget Mutondoro of ZRP Chegutu and a transporter Dominic Zinyakatira.
They all appeared at Chegutu Magistrates’ Court and were freed on bail.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/pfumvudza-another-avenue-to-loot-state-resources-mliswa/">NewZimbabwe.com</a></h4>

Mliswa Calls For Transparency On Pfumvudza Inputs Distribution

President Mnangagwa in the following video speaks about his administration’s successes in the Agricultural sector since 2017. President Mnangagwa spoke about the Pfumvudza program, the farm mechanization scheme, and the wheat project among other projects. Watch the president’s video below:
 
<div class="wp-video" style="width: 640px;">
<video class="wp-video-shortcode" controls="controls" height="360" id="video-185801-1" preload="metadata" width="640"><source src="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/ED-Achievements.mp4?_=1" type="video/mp4"/><a href="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/ED-Achievements.mp4">https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/ED-Achievements.mp4</a></video></div>

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