The Auditor-General (AG) has uncovered serious irregularities in agriculture projects across Matabeleland North, including borehole pump installations that deviate from approved specifications and inadequate pest-control measures that have left farmers exposed to significant production losses.
The findings are contained in the AG’s report for the year ended December 31, 2025, released on June 26, 2026.
The audit revealed that borehole pumps installed at some village business units (VBUs) in Nkayi district did not match specifications in the bills of quantities (BOQs), despite Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) capacity tests confirming sufficient water for irrigation and livestock.
Of the 10 VBUs sampled, the AG identified pump variations at four sites.
At three sites – Sibuyu, Chibhini and Gondeni – smaller pumps were installed than specified.
At VBU 10A in Ward 3, a 1.5-horsepower pump was installed despite the BOQ specifying a one-horsepower unit, with no technical justification provided.
At Chibhini and Gondeni, where recommended yields were nine cubic metres per hour, the BOQs specified two-horsepower pumps but 1.5-horsepower units were installed instead.
The AG warned that these variations could result in suboptimal pumping performance, limiting water supply for irrigation, domestic use and livestock watering, which could discourage beneficiaries, reduce crop yields and undermine project sustainability.
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The report recommended that the Public Debt Management Office ensure all pump installations comply with approved specifications and that any changes be technically justified and approved by qualified engineers.
Project management disputed some implications, stating that the provisional BOQ used during bidding provided for the government’s standard specification of 1.5-horsepower pumps for VBUs.
Management said qualified engineers would be engaged to implement corrective measures.
On pest control, the audit identified extensive damage at 10A VBU in Nkayi and at Bhani and Mpala VBUs in Hwange district.
At 10A VBU, infestation affected two production blocks estimated to yield between 4 000 and 4 600 heads of cabbage.
The AG attributed the problem to farmers’ inadequate knowledge and limited application of pest-control practices, warning that continued damage threatened incomes and the long-term viability of the projects.
The report recommended that the implementing ministry provide farmers with pest-management training, backed by regular monitoring and technical guidance.
Management said the project had developed a climate smart agriculture training manual covering pest and disease management, with training provided by consultants and Agritex extension officers.
However, management acknowledged that some VBUs lacked financial capacity to purchase chemicals, and the project had incorporated integrated pest-management training, including organic pesticides from locally available plant resources.
Despite these measures, the AG indicated that the ministry still needed to establish monitoring mechanisms to ensure all agricultural production groups and VBUs received adequate training.
