Category: zimbabwe

Precious Manomano-Herald Reporter

Two men have been sentenced to five years imprisonment with hard labour after stealing Presidential inputs, which included 364 bags of Compound D fertiliser, from the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) Charandura depot.

Mvuma magistrate Ms Constance Mutandwa suspended one year of the sentence on condition that the two do not commit a similar offence again.

Titus Marange and Stephen Nhamo were arrested in Mvuma last year after police got information that they had stolen inputs. Prosecutor Mr Simbarashe Hwata told the court that on October 13, 2023,  five robbers stormed the depot where they assaulted the guards on duty and tied them up with rope.  They drove their truck into the depot and seized 364 bags of Compound D fertiliser before speeding off.

A tip-off saw police intercepting them as they drove towards Mvuma, leading to the recovery of the inputs.

The two are facing similar charges at Zhombe and Wedza where they used the same method to steal Presidential Inputs from GMB depots. Commenting after the pair’s conviction yesterday, an elated GMB chief executive Dr Edson Bhadharai hailed police for their swift action which led to the arrest of the culprits.

“More of our depots could have fallen prey to these individuals had they not been accounted for swiftly,” said Dr Bhadharai. 

He said it was illegal for anyone to sell or purchase inputs meant for the Presidential scheme.

In a notice recently, GMB said Presidential inputs were not for sale and beneficiaries were supposed to utilise them well by planting in their areas.

“GMB wishes to remind members of the public that in terms of Statutory Instrument 247 of 2018, it is unlawful to sell or purchase inputs that are being distributed to farmers under the Presidential Inputs Programme or any contract scheme or from any unauthorised dealer.’’ 

 Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Professor Obert Jiri urged communities to fully utilise their land and maximise production warning Agritex officers and beneficiaries against abusing Pfumvudza agricultural inputs.

He said those caught offside would face the full wrath of the law.

“We are on a crusade moving around every district and ward preaching the gospel of utilising the land and the benefits that come with adopting the Pfumvudza programme. 

“Every farmer should be serious, plough, harvest and sell the surplus. We will not tolerate abuse of inputs. The rising cases of inputs abuse are worrying,’’ he said.

Victor Maphosa recently in Mutoko

Construction of the Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa High School in Ward 13, Mutoko, has started, bringing a local high school to an area where children have been travelling to neighbouring wards for their A-Level studies.

Material needed for the construction is already at the site, with the first block nearing roof stage.

Travelling long distances to the next high school will soon be history for learners in Ward 13.

Construction of this school came after former Zanu PF Mutoko South Member of Parliament Cde Herbert Shumbamhini appealed to President Mnangagwa for a high school in the constituency. The President heard, and while commissioning the Tabudirira fruit and vegetable processing plant in Mutoko, President Mnangagwa said the school would be built.

Ward 13 community this week expressed their happiness after they witnessed loads of material arriving at the site.

Senior Government officials from Mashonaland East provincial offices toured the construction site this week to assess progress.

In an interview on the sidelines of the tour, Zanu PF Ward 13 councillor Cde Thanks Rombora said the beginning of the construction process was a testimony that the President was a man of his word, and thanked him for the school.

“We welcome this development as it will definitely improve the quality of education in Mutoko. Having the best standards at this school is our objective. We are happy that the President, as always, is fulfilling promises he made to the people.

“We are certain that once the school has more blocks, even enrolment will increase,” he said.

Zanu PF MP for Mutoko South Cde Isaac Taskani said the President is a listening leader and needed to be supported, always. He appealed to the President for a vocational training centre in Mutoko South.

“I want to thank the President for remembering the people of Ward 13 in Mutoko. We really welcome this development. 

“I am also appealing to the President for a vocational training centre so that those who would have failed to go to universities can also enroll with vocational training centres. This will ensure youths are occupied and avoid ending up being drug and substance addicts.

Ward 13 resident Mr Rodwell Zinyakasa said construction should be expedited so that learners can be enrolled at the school.

“We are excited, thanks to President Mnangagwa because his intervention has resulted in the establishment of this school. We have been waiting for this development to come and today we are witnessing our dreams coming true.”

Mashonaland East Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Mr Tavabarira Kutamahufa also thanked President Mnangagwa for fulfilling his promise.

“We are here to assess progress on the construction of this school. I am happy that construction has commenced. As you know, good infrastructure is key to quality education. We want to thank President Mnangagwa for fulfilling the promise he made to the people of Mutoko after a request was made to him. 

“All the required material is here. Everyone is excited. As you can see, already a block of classrooms has been built and we expect it to be completed by end of February,” he said.