Uzumba- FORMER Uzumba Member of Parliament Simbaneuta Mudarikwa is once again under scrutiny for allegedly misappropriating more than 20 tonnes of wheat inputs including 385 bags of fertilizers intended for residents of Ward 15 under the Presidential Inputs Scheme.
Villagers told this publication that the input were collected from the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) Mutawatawa depot and were diverted to Mudarikwa’s private property with the help of the UMP District AGRITEX officer identified only as Mr Zvirevo.
A formal complaint has been made and copied to GMB chief executive and Agritex.
Beneficiaries say the supplies were meant to be distributed transparently at a designated Ward 15 site.
“This is blatant theft,” said one concerned farmer speaking on condition of anonymity.
“These resources are for the entire community and not for one person to hoard,” weighed in another victim.
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation especially as it undermines the government’s ongoing efforts to boost food security and rural development through fair distribution of agricultural inputs.
The Presidential Inputs Scheme is governed by strict rules emphasizing accountability and transparency and any breach is seen as a setback to national progress.
This isn’t the first time Mudarikwa has faced such allegations.
In 2015, he was accused of dumping tonnes of farming inputs into a dam allegedly in an attempt to destroy evidence as a commission of inquiry loomed.
Though that case quietly faded from public attention it tarnished his political legacy.
Having served several terms in Parliament, Mudarikwa lost his seat in 2023 to Wiriranai Muchemwa.
Some Uzumba residents say his removal was long overdue accusing him of enriching himself while neglecting community needs.
“He treated Uzumba like his personal empire,” lamented a disgruntled villager.
Timelynews understands that Mudarikwa is the kingpin of a network extracting black granite in cahoots with his Chinese cartel led by an investor known as Ethan.
He uses his company named Black Granite with Utsiwewegota family and the local people have not benefitted.
Ward 15 councillor Knowledge Chipindu confirmed the development.
“I can confirm that indeed the former MP VaMudarikwa diverted the inputs that were earmarked for wheat farmers in Ward 15 .
“This came to light when we did consultations from other wards and found out the diversion,”said Chipindu.
When contacted for comment Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe District Administrator Douglas Hungwa dismissed the allegations and said they were based on factional fights.
“That is not the correct position it’s just allegations based on factional fights.
“What really transpired is the inputs were ferried from Murewa at night and a decision was made to offload it at Mudarikwa’s place for safe keeping and right now modalities are in place to ensure that the inputs are distributed to the intended beneficiaries,” said Hungwa.
Mudarikwa did not pick up his phone when called for comment.
Villagers are calling for the Ministry of Agriculture and anti-corruption agencies to investigate the alleged misuse of resources intended to uplift rural livelihoods.
“Mudarikwa must answer for this and for all the years he has abused his office,” a resident insisted.