Top civil servant fired over fertilizer scandal

Top civil servant fired over fertilizer scandal

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By Staff Reporter

A TOP Zimbabwean civil servant lost his job Wednesday after a damaging scandal in which sub-standard fertilizer was imported into the country from South Africa.

Simon Pazvakavambwa, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture was relieved of his post by the Secretary to the Cabinet, Misheck Sibanda, officials said.

On Sunday, Pazvakavambwa was in defiant mood, telling a weekly paper that he would "spill the beans" on the fertilizer deal if axed from his job.

But a ministry official said last night: "He has no beans in his mouth to spill, just hot air."

Pazvakavambwa led a team of experts to South Africa where they inspected the fertilizer and certified its quality. The Reserve Bank then paid for the importation of 70 000 tonnes of Compound D -- needed urgently to stave off poor harvest.

It was discovered that most of the fertilizer bought from Sasol and Farmers' World was substandard, sparking accusations and counter-accusations between Ministry of Agriculture officials and the Reserve Bank.

Reserve Bank chief Gideon Gono told reporters it was the fault of Pazvakavambwa and the experts that the poor quality fertilizer was imported. But Pazvakavambwa rejects this.

He said Sunday: "Gideon Gono is the only person to answer questions regarding the fertilizer issue."

Pressure has been mounting on Pazvakavambwa to resign, with both Gono and Made closing ranks to point the finger of blame at the civil servant.
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