President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Tuesday presided over a ceremony at State House where he handed over vehicles, grain carriers, and solar kits to Agriculture Extension Officers, commonly known as Madhumeni. Touted by the government as a strategic move to modernize agriculture and enhance food security, the event has stirred controversy, with critics questioning the motives behind the handover and the opaque procurement process involved.
While on the surface the initiative appears progressive—supporting frontline agricultural workers with essential tools—underlying concerns continue to build over how the resources were sourced and who benefitted from the deals behind the scenes. The government has remained tight-lipped on the total cost of the handover, the vendors involved, and whether the procurement followed proper public tender procedures.
This lack of transparency has fueled speculation that the handovers may be the latest chapter in a pattern of politically connected contracts reminiscent of those involving controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo. Chivayo, widely criticized for receiving state contracts worth millions without delivering meaningful results, is seen by many as a symbol of the corruption and patronage that have plagued Zimbabwe’s public sector.
According toMnangagwa insiders and political analysts, many of the contracts for supplying government vehicles and equipment are often awarded through informal channels—circumventing public procurement laws. At the center of these alleged deals are President Mnangagwa’s twin sons, Sean and Collins Mnangagwa. Both have previously been implicated in a series of business ventures that reportedly benefited from their proximity to state power, including fuel imports, construction tenders, and mining concessions.
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Finance Ministry Permanent Secretary George Guvamatanga is also frequently mentioned in connection with such opaque transactions. As the top financial technocrat in government, Guvamatanga is alleged to play a critical role in facilitating payments for contracts awarded under questionable circumstances. Several sources allege that he greenlights deals without sufficient documentation or due diligence, often benefiting politically connected individuals.
A former Barclays Zimbabwe managing director, Guvamatanga has come under scrutiny for his rapid accumulation of wealth since joining government. Critics point to his acquisition of luxury properties and assets in Zimbabwe and South Africa, many of which are believed to be held through proxies to avoid detection. The lack of lifestyle audits and the absence of any meaningful investigations into his financial affairs have raised serious concerns about accountability within the Ministry of Finance.
“This entire handover exercise is nothing more than a political maneuver disguised as a developmental programme,” said a political analyst who asked not to be named. “It’s part of a broader pattern where state resources are funneled through a network of loyalists under the pretense of national interest. In reality, it’s about consolidating power and wealth among a small elite.”
The timing of the handover has also sparked criticism, coming amid worsening economic conditions for ordinary Zimbabweans. With inflation soaring, unemployment at staggering levels, and basic services deteriorating, many view such state-sponsored displays as tone-deaf and self-serving.
Opposition parties and civil society groups argue that Mnangagwa is using state resources to buy loyalty ahead of future political contests. The strategic distribution of vehicles to agricultural officers, who are influential figures in rural communities, is seen as a way of securing grassroots support while diverting public attention from ongoing scandals and economic failures.
“This is not about empowering Madhumeni or reviving agriculture,” said an opposition spokesperson. “It’s about laundering public money under the guise of rural development. Until there is full disclosure of how these vehicles were procured, who supplied them, and at what cost, this programme will remain deeply suspicious.”
Mnangagwa has long faced allegations of running a kleptocratic administration, where power and wealth are concentrated in the hands of his inner circle. His family, particularly his sons, has been linked to dubious deals involving gold smuggling, fuel cartels, and multi-million-dollar tenders in infrastructure and energy—often without transparency or oversight.
Mnangagwa’s association with Wicknell Chivayo, who continues to enjoy government patronage despite failing to deliver on several national projects, has become a lightning rod for criticism. Billions have been lost to incomplete or phantom initiatives, yet no one has been held accountable.
As Zimbabwe grapples with deepening inequality, eroding public trust, and a shrinking economy, the latest State House handover only underscores the urgent need for transparency, accountability, and genuine reform in how public resources are managed and distributed.
