Former Minister Marumahoko Acquitted of ARDA Fraud Charges

Former Mashonaland West minister Reuben Marumahoko has been acquitted of ARDA fraud charges after the court ruled there was no evidence of misrepresentation or intent (image source)

CHINHOYI — Former Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Reuben Marumahoko, has been acquitted of fraud charges relating to the alleged abuse of agricultural inputs valued at US$37 950 from the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA).

The Chinhoyi Magistrates’ Court cleared Marumahoko after ruling that the State had failed to prove the essential elements of fraud. Magistrate Solomon Jenya said the prosecution did not establish misrepresentation or intent to defraud on the part of the accused.

Marumahoko was arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) in November 2024 following allegations that he had improperly benefited from ARDA’s commercial farmers’ joint venture programme. The State alleged that he applied for farming inputs claiming capacity to plant 200 hectares of maize under irrigation, but only planted 46 hectares, with the remainder of the inputs allegedly disposed of, resulting in losses to ARDA.

According to the prosecution, Marumahoko received 2.5 tonnes of maize seed, 1 300 bags of Compound D fertiliser, and various agro-chemicals under the programme. However, the court heard that production targets were not met.

In his defence, Marumahoko told the court that his irrigation infrastructure had been vandalised and that drought conditions further disrupted operations. He denied any misrepresentation, arguing that he acted in good faith and that the shortfall in hectarage planted was due to circumstances beyond his control.

Magistrate Jenya accepted the explanation, ruling that operational challenges and unforeseen setbacks did not amount to criminal conduct. The court found no evidence that Marumahoko had deliberately misled ARDA or intended to unlawfully benefit from the inputs.

The acquittal brings to an end a case that had drawn public attention due to Marumahoko’s senior political profile. He previously served as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and said the allegations had damaged his reputation, expressing relief at being cleared.

Legal analysts say the ruling reinforces the principle that fraud charges must be supported by clear proof of intent and misrepresentation. They also note that the case highlights broader challenges facing agricultural production, including drought, vandalism, and infrastructure constraints. For ARDA, the matter has renewed calls for tighter monitoring and accountability mechanisms in input distribution programmes to minimise losses and disputes.