Destiny for Afrika Network (Danet) leader Obadiah Msindo was forced to reimburse communal and commercial farmers from whom he had collected money promising to supply them with maize seed and fertiliser.
Danet collected amounts ranging between $40 and $1 600 from individual farmers but did not deliver the inputs. Although some of the farmers told NewsDay yesterday they had since been reimbursed, it was not immediately clear if all the estimated 1 500 farmers had been given their money back.
The matter was reported to Juru police recently, eight Danet employees, including a manager identified as Tiki, were picked up only to be released after undertaking to reimburse the farmers by January 9.
One of the farmers from Mazowe confirmed she was reimbursed $400 after making a report at Harare Central Police Station.
I finally reported the matter to Harare Central Police Station and that was when I got reimbursed. The police however said it was up to me to withdraw the charges or press on, but I am still thinking about it, she said.
Another farmer from Goromonzi also confirmed that he, together with several other farmers from the area, were refunded on January 13.
I was refunded the $50 I had paid. I phoned them on January 12 and they told me to come to their offices the following day. I went with other farmers, including four from my area, and we were all refunded, he said.
Msindo said the matter had been resolved amicably. The matter has been resolved. In the first place there was no case. It was just a matter of two or three people trying to cause problems, he said.
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The farmers, from areas like Wedza, Chinhoyi, Juru, Mvurwi, Mazowe, Norton and Mutorashanga, were reportedly promised maize seed and fertiliser in October last year, but only a handful are said to have received the inputs ahead of the rainy season.
Among those allegedly duped in the scheme was Chief Chikwaka (Kimpton Chigaramasimbe) from Goromonzi area.
Following the allegations last December, Msindo refuted reports he had failed to deliver the promised inputs.
Its not true that people didnt get inputs. Its just politicking by some local political leaders who wanted to take over the running of the programme, he said.
