News / National
Food contract for Zimbabwe's security services sparks debate
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A multi-million-dollar food supply contract awarded to Agrifora Private Limited to serve Zimbabwe's security services-including the Zimbabwe National Army, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), and Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services-has ignited fresh controversy over state procurement practices, amid ongoing concerns about governance and transparency.
The contract, reportedly awarded without a competitive tender process, has drawn sharp criticism from transparency advocates who argue that the government bypassed due diligence in favour of political expediency.
Despite these concerns, officials across Zimbabwe's security sector say Agrifora has significantly improved food supplies and reduced costs, helping to restore morale among the tens of thousands of personnel.
Sources familiar with the procurement process allege that Agrifora was handpicked, raising red flags in a country frequently dogged by tender scandals across multiple public sectors. However, insiders say the decision was driven by the urgent need to address severe food shortages in military and police institutions, which had become a national embarrassment.
The food crisis dates back several years. In 2022, Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri publicly admitted that Zimbabwe's defence readiness had been compromised by basic supply shortfalls. "We are expected to host other defence forces, but no one wants to come here because of these conditions," she said during budget consultations.
In response, President Emmerson Mnangagwa's administration centralised procurement for the uniformed forces and selected Agrifora as the main supplier.
Senior officials say the move has yielded immediate benefits: reliable deliveries, reduced prices, and greater variety of food.
"Mnangagwa's government has improved the food situation to the extent that the security sector is now enjoying three-course meals," a senior security official told the Zimbabwe Independent.
"Commercial beef was going for US$11 per kg, now it's down to US$3.50. Chicken is being delivered at US$3.40 per kg. They're now eating sausages, liver, eggs-not just beans and cabbages. This has restored harmony within the forces."
Agrifora's logistical model, which includes direct delivery to barracks to prevent pilferage and corruption, is credited with dismantling entrenched graft networks that previously dominated food procurement.
"This is the first time in years that food arrives on time, in full, and at better prices," said another senior official. "The rot is being cleaned out. Agrifora has been operating transparently and efficiently, delivering actual food and not overpricing."
While the company bypassed the traditional tender process, officials defend the move as a necessary reform to eliminate corruption and improve the welfare of the security forces.
"Agrifora was a necessary reform to cut the corruption umbilical cord, but there remains a section in government that is not happy," one source added.
Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi acknowledged improvements in prison conditions but deferred detailed comments to correctional authorities.
"Talk to the Commissioner General [Moses Chihobvu], he will confirm how happy the prisoners are. Prisoners are getting food from the President," Ziyambi said.
The ZRP confirmed improved welfare under Commissioner General Stephen Mutamba. Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi declined to name suppliers but praised government efforts to enhance officer welfare through better rations and resources.
Civil society groups have welcomed the improved conditions but called for independent oversight to ensure procurement transparency and accountability over the long term.
"There's no denying the food situation has improved," said one watchdog group. "But the process still matters. Today it's food; tomorrow it could be arms. Public procurement must be transparent, regardless of urgency."
The Zimbabwe Defence Forces declined to comment. Insiders say morale has improved, with routine meals and cleaner procurement replacing the uncertainty that once defined daily life in barracks.
Agrifora was unavailable for comment by press time.
The contract, reportedly awarded without a competitive tender process, has drawn sharp criticism from transparency advocates who argue that the government bypassed due diligence in favour of political expediency.
Despite these concerns, officials across Zimbabwe's security sector say Agrifora has significantly improved food supplies and reduced costs, helping to restore morale among the tens of thousands of personnel.
Sources familiar with the procurement process allege that Agrifora was handpicked, raising red flags in a country frequently dogged by tender scandals across multiple public sectors. However, insiders say the decision was driven by the urgent need to address severe food shortages in military and police institutions, which had become a national embarrassment.
The food crisis dates back several years. In 2022, Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri publicly admitted that Zimbabwe's defence readiness had been compromised by basic supply shortfalls. "We are expected to host other defence forces, but no one wants to come here because of these conditions," she said during budget consultations.
In response, President Emmerson Mnangagwa's administration centralised procurement for the uniformed forces and selected Agrifora as the main supplier.
Senior officials say the move has yielded immediate benefits: reliable deliveries, reduced prices, and greater variety of food.
"Mnangagwa's government has improved the food situation to the extent that the security sector is now enjoying three-course meals," a senior security official told the Zimbabwe Independent.
"Commercial beef was going for US$11 per kg, now it's down to US$3.50. Chicken is being delivered at US$3.40 per kg. They're now eating sausages, liver, eggs-not just beans and cabbages. This has restored harmony within the forces."
Agrifora's logistical model, which includes direct delivery to barracks to prevent pilferage and corruption, is credited with dismantling entrenched graft networks that previously dominated food procurement.
"This is the first time in years that food arrives on time, in full, and at better prices," said another senior official. "The rot is being cleaned out. Agrifora has been operating transparently and efficiently, delivering actual food and not overpricing."
While the company bypassed the traditional tender process, officials defend the move as a necessary reform to eliminate corruption and improve the welfare of the security forces.
"Agrifora was a necessary reform to cut the corruption umbilical cord, but there remains a section in government that is not happy," one source added.
Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi acknowledged improvements in prison conditions but deferred detailed comments to correctional authorities.
"Talk to the Commissioner General [Moses Chihobvu], he will confirm how happy the prisoners are. Prisoners are getting food from the President," Ziyambi said.
The ZRP confirmed improved welfare under Commissioner General Stephen Mutamba. Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi declined to name suppliers but praised government efforts to enhance officer welfare through better rations and resources.
Civil society groups have welcomed the improved conditions but called for independent oversight to ensure procurement transparency and accountability over the long term.
"There's no denying the food situation has improved," said one watchdog group. "But the process still matters. Today it's food; tomorrow it could be arms. Public procurement must be transparent, regardless of urgency."
The Zimbabwe Defence Forces declined to comment. Insiders say morale has improved, with routine meals and cleaner procurement replacing the uncertainty that once defined daily life in barracks.
Agrifora was unavailable for comment by press time.
Source - Independent
