By A Correspondent| Clayton Ngoda, a 46-year-old agro-inputs dealer from Mazowe, has been arrested and charged with fraud after he allegedly misrepresented facts to the Agriculture and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) in order to receive inputs intended to support winter wheat farming.

The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) made the arrest on October 1, 2024, after investigations revealed that Ngoda allegedly falsely claimed to have 90 hectares of irrigated farmland under his control.

As a result of misrepresentation, the ARDA disbursed two (2) tonnes of maize seed, 36 tonnes each of basal and topdressing fertilisers, and 260 litres of herbicide, to him through the Grain Marketing Board (GMB).

The accused only utilised 30 hectares worth of the disbursed inputs and sold 60 hectares worth inputs for personal gain.

Ngoda appeared at Bindura Magistrate’s Court on October 1, 2024 and was remanded in custody to 2 October, 2024 pending bail ruling.

The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption is committed to rooting out corruption in the agricultural sector as it undermines a government initiative aimed at boosting agricultural productivity in Zimbabwe, and urges members of the public to report any suspicious activity.