Well-placed government sources said workers at Made's farm near Harare disclosed that their boss had stolen the farming equipment during his tenure as the Minister of Agricultural Engineering and Mechanisation last year.
Made was appointed Agriculture Minister last month in the new government.
While serving as the Minister of Agricultural Engineering and Mechanisation, Made and Gono bought implements, which were sold to farmers.
However, top Zanu(PF) sources who were angered by Made and Gono's looting escapades said the tractors should be forfeited to the State and be given to deserving farmers.
Further, sources said the 48 tractors and other farming implements could be President Robert Mugabe's property that was bought using State resources.
Zanu(PF) insiders said Made and Gono were Mugabe's henchmen since the Agriculture Minister was the 85 year-old leader's personal farm manager while the central bank chief is his banker.
It looks like the tractors scandal was a well orchestrated looting strategy between Made and Gono. This is a big blow to the country's economy because how can a few elite give themselves 48 tractors at the expense of the majority of Zimbabweans. The law must just take its course without fear or favour, fumed a senior government official who preferred not to be named.
Zanu(PF) is well known for looting government property after some of its Ministers and Members of Parliament were named in the misappropriation of the South African R300 million agriculture aid.
The MDC has warned South Africa not to handover financial aid to Zanu(PF).
ZimEye
Post published in: News