HARARE – Despite an ongoing investigation by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) into allegations of improper loan acquisition, Anxious Masuka, Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries, and Rural Development, has been named the second-best performing Cabinet Minister for 2024 by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Mnangagwa, on Monday honoured his top-performing government officials at State House in Harare. The awards ceremony included Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, and heads of various government departments.
The Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Felix Mhona, took top honours as the best-performing Minister in President Mnangagwa’s Cabinet for 2024.
Other notable winners included Anxious Masuka, who was the first runner-up, and July Moyo, Energy and Power Development Minister, who secured second place.
The performance contract system, introduced in 2021, aims to ensure accountability among public officials.
Masuka’s recognition stems from his contributions to enhancing Zimbabwe’s agricultural resilience, particularly through initiatives like the Pfumvudza/Intwasa program.
However, this acknowledgment is juxtaposed with the ZACC investigation into claims that he improperly received a US$397,000 loan from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB).
According to reports, Masuka’s company, Ultimate Accolade, allegedly received the loan through irregular procedures facilitated by Patrick Devenish, the chairperson of TIMB, and Meanwell Gudu, the former CEO.
Both Devenish and Gudu were arrested in connection with the matter, facing charges of fraud and criminal abuse of office.
They are out on bail.
ZACC officials late last year confirmed to Nehanda Radio that Masuka was interviewed regarding the allegations, with investigations ongoing.
The allegations suggest that the loan, extended in May 2021, was misrepresented as part of a discontinued tobacco inputs credit scheme funded by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. TIMB reportedly suffered a loss of US$539,000, including interest.
Nehanda Radio understands that Masuka was supposed to present himself before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Lands this week. Instead, he boycotted and sent his permanent secretary Obert Jiri.
The Committee intended to interview him over the loan issue and explain the reasons behind TIMB Board’s delay to appoint a substantive CEO.
According to the State, Devenish and Gudu allegedly created two contract agreements and authorised the special projects manager to sign them on Gudu’s behalf, even though Gudu was absent from the office at the time.
The loan was never repaid, and the board only discovered it late 2023. As a result, TIMB has incurred a loss of US$539,000, plus interest.
Insiders say that Masuka is a highly trusted official of Mnangagwa, boasting an impressive combination of military and academic credentials.
With extensive experience in the agricultural sector, Masuka took the reins as Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, and Rural Resettlement in August 2020, following the passing of Perrance Shiri.
He has been recognised as Mnangagwa’s top Cabinet Minister for two consecutive years, 2022 and 2023.
"Military credentials" for Masuka……!