By Admore Mbonda, Kariba
Chinhoyi — Gideon Msambakurima, a police officer stationed in Karoi, was arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) on charges of defrauding the Agricultural Rural Development Authority (ARDA) of more than US$4,700 in a fraudulent fertilizer scheme.
Msambakurima, aged [age not provided], appeared before Provincial Magistrate Vakai Douglas Chikwekwe on February 18, 2025, at the Chinhoyi Magistrate Court, where he was granted US$200 bail and remanded to March 4, 2025.
Prosecutor Mr Brian Machekera presented details of the case, which highlights a disturbing breach of trust within the public sector.
Msambakurima is accused of exploiting the ARDA Joint Venture Farming programme, initially receiving 8 metric tons of Calcium Ammonium Nitrate fertilizer for his 20-hectare maize farm.
However, he is alleged to have fraudulently used the same batch number to claim an additional 6 metric tons of Windmill Ammonium Nitrate fertilizer, despite depleting his original allocation.
This case is part of a wider investigation into corruption within law enforcement and government agencies.
Just last week, two other police officers stationed at the Lions Den tollgate were arrested by ZACC for allegedly accepting a US$1 bribe from motorists bypassing toll fees.
They too appeared in the Chinhoyi Magistrate Court, underscoring the growing concerns over corruption in the police force.
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