ZIMBABWE’s anti-graft body, Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), last night arrested Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) chairperson Patrick Devenish over an unclear, unprocedural US$400,000 loan advanced to Agriculture Minister Anxious Masuka.
The late-night swoop also saw ZACC’s dragnet bring in recently acquitted former TIMB chief executive officer (CEO) Meanwell Gudu, on similar allegations.
Devenish and Gudu are said to have connived to advance the loan without following properly laid down procedures.
Devenish was held overnight at Avondale Police Station.
Details of whether Masuka will be arrested were not shared although indications show he is at the centre of what seems to be routine corruption at one of Zimbabwe’s largest tobacco boards.
Gudu, who was this week acquitted of fraud charges involving ‘disappearance’ of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s (RBZ) US$2 million dollars for small scale farmers, is expected in court today.
“Devenish was picked up last night by ZACC officers and taken to Avondale police station were he spent the night,” said a source close to developments.
“He is being accused of having illegally approved a US$400,000 loan to Masuka.”
Details of the shady deal were allegedly leaked by TIMB’s acting CEO Emmanuel Matsvaire, who fancies taking over the role substantively, a move which has been resisted by Devenish in the past.
Matsvaire has had his fair share of drama, having survived sexual harassment charges filed by a subordinate last year.
With Gudu acquitted, a return to TIMB seemed imminent. Matsvaire has been acting CEO since last year following the suspension of Gudu.
NewZimbabwe.com sources did not reveal the motivation behind awarding Masuka the US$400,000 loan.
“I am not yet in a position to share details around how ZACC will deal with Masuka, remember he was one of government’s top performers from last year,” added the source.
Masuka has twice been President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s top performing cabinet minister (2022, 2023). He has been awarded each time for his performance, mainly in the Water and Agriculture sector.
Speaking at last year’s reception Chief Secretary to the President Martin Rushwaya praised ministers for their professionalism.
“It is clear that the professionalism of our public servants has played a key role in achieving these positive results,” said Rushwaya. — NewZimbabwe
