Harare, Zimbabwe | The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) is facing a deepening crisis of credibility following explosive allegations that it has failed to investigate a massive fuel theft syndicate, choosing instead to target the very official responsible for exposing the crime.
At the center of the storm is the disappearance of 4.4 million litres of diesel—intended for the government’s Pfumvudza agricultural program—which was siphoned from the National Oil Infrastructure Company (NOIC) between May and October 2024.
The ZACC Paradox: Investigation vs. Victimization
While ZACC is constitutionally mandated to combat graft, its recent actions in this case have raised serious red flags regarding its independence and integrity.
The Targeted Complainant: Morgen Makina, the Ministry of Lands’ chief administrator and the appointed lead complainant in the fuel theft case, was abruptly arrested by ZACC.
Disproven Allegations: Makina was accused by ZACC of motor vehicle theft. However, these claims were swiftly debunked when it was proven the vehicles were legitimately allocated to ministry officials.
The “Conflict of Interest” Claim: Legal experts and sources close to the probe suggest ZACC officials may be stalling the fuel investigation due to high-level interests, effectively using Makina’s arrest as a “smokescreen” to undermine the primary diesel theft case.
Anatomy of the Diesel Syndicate
The scale of the theft, uncovered by ZIMRA in late 2024, reveals a highly sophisticated operation that bypassed national security controls.
| Component | Detail |
| Volume Stolen | 4.4 Million Litres of Diesel |
| The Tactic | Fabricated paperwork claiming “Government Imports” for agricultural use. |
| The Front | A shadowy entity operating under the name “Min of Lands” to bypass duty. |
| Financial Impact | Millions in lost revenue and siphoned state resources. |
Makina’s legal representatives, Samukange Hungwe Attorneys, have launched a scathing attack on ZACC’s conduct. They have characterized the commission’s actions as an “abuse of office” designed to protect the real architects of the fuel scam.
“The arrest of our client on baseless charges is a clear attempt to derail the fuel theft investigations where he is the key witness and complainant,” the lawyers stated in a demand for a written status update on the probe.
For ZiMetro News, a worrying trend where anti-corruption agencies appear to be weaponized against whistleblowers. Commissioner Kindness Paradza has maintained that investigations are “active,” yet the lack of progress on the 4 million litre theft—contrasted with the rapid (and failed) arrest of the complainant—paints a picture of an institution struggling with internal capture.
If ZACC fails to bring the actual fuel syndicate to book, it risks permanent damage to the public’s trust in Zimbabwe’s anti-graft infrastructure.
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