Zacc in 4 million litre fuel theft crosshairs

The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has been pulled into a high-profile corruption case involving the alleged theft of over four million litres of diesel from the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development.

Sources claim that some ZACC officials delayed investigations into the matter due to potential conflicts of interest, raising concerns about the integrity of the probe.

The scandal emerged after the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), in a November 14, 2024 letter, demanded payment of duty for 4.4 million litres of diesel reportedly imported by a shadowy company on behalf of the ministry. Documents suggest the diesel scam occurred between May 16 and October 31, 2024, with a syndicate allegedly fabricating paperwork claiming the fuel was for the government's Pfumvudza agricultural programme.

ZIMRA's letter indicated that no such diesel imports had occurred. Instead, the fuel was reportedly siphoned from the National Oil Infrastructure Company through a front company operating under the name "Min of Lands" to conceal the theft. Private firm Tagara Tinopa Resource Ltd, named as facilitating the import, denied any involvement, stating their name had been hijacked by unscrupulous individuals.

A police report (DR/07/12/24) was filed over the missing fuel, with ministry chief administrator Morgen Makina seconded to assist investigations and later appointed chief complainant in February 2025. However, ZACC subsequently arrested Makina over separate alleged vehicle thefts—claims that were later disproven after the vehicles in question were found to have been legitimately allocated to ministry officials and an MP.

Makina's lawyers, Samukange Hungwe Attorneys, have accused ZACC of victimising their client to undermine the fuel theft investigations and demanded a written update on the probe, warning that legal action may follow over alleged abuse of office by a ZACC official.

ZACC Commissioner Kindness Paradza confirmed that the commission is actively investigating the diesel case but refused to provide further details, cautioning the public against spreading incorrect information.

The case highlights ongoing concerns over corruption, administrative accountability, and the handling of investigations involving high-level ministry officials in Zimbabwe.