Gweru Agricultural Show AGM Erupts Over Financial Abuse Claims, Election Deferred

Gweru - One of the Midlands province's oldest agricultural institutions, the Midlands Show Society, has been marred by serious governance and financial accountability disputes following a stormy Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Gweru recently.

The meeting, which was meant to be a routine administrative exercise, devolved into a heated 40-minute showdown as disgruntled members blocked scheduled executive committee elections, demanding a comprehensive independent forensic audit and sweeping constitutional reforms.

Several high-profile members, including former Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Midlands spokesperson, Patrick Chademana, Walter Makwalo, Johnson Chando and the Show Vice-Chairperson Monica Linda Watadza, openly challenged the executive over the society's structural management and a perceived lack of financial transparency.

Tempers flared when the Chairperson’s report and the annual financial statement were tabled.

Stakeholders vehemently objected to the documents, arguing that they lacked essential revenue breakdowns from key income streams.

The disgruntled members demanded exact figures regarding gate-takings, exhibition stand occupancy and revenues generated during previous agricultural shows.

Outspoken stakeholders also demanded clarity on rental fees collected from perennial exhibitors, including churches, schools, corporate entities and private firms.

Amid mounting tension, committee member Sikhanyisiwe Sibanda pleaded for institutional unity.

“We are a team together. Why blame a few individuals? When things go wrong, it is our collective failure. Let us bury the hatchet and move forward,” Sibanda pleaded.

However, the appeal was rejected by the floor, with members insisting that strict accountability must precede any organisational reconciliation.

Legal consultant, Walter Makwalo, emerged as a leading voice during the debate, systematically interrogating the society's financial oversight mechanisms and auditing histories.

The calls for an external forensic probe quickly gathered significant momentum.

Chademana strongly backed the audit demands, revealing deep rifts within the society's apex leadership following the unproffered resignation of the institution's top official, the Midlands Show president.

“There are serious questions that require answers before new leadership can be elected,” Chademana said, describing the President of the show, Pascal Muringani, who recently resigned without tendering an official resignation letter, as “the clever dancer who knows the right time to exit the dance floor.”

Allegations of administrative malpractice also surfaced during the meeting, with some executive members accusing senior show management of nepotism and favour-trading, claiming that relatives of top officials were being preferentially selected for lucrative commercial opportunities and employment during annual exhibitions.

National Association of Agricultural Show Societies of Zimbabwe (NAASSZ) Chairperson, Godfrey Mavankeni, confirmed that while general AGM business proceeded, executive committee elections were officially deferred to allow for a comprehensive constitutional overhaul.

“The meeting continued and only the elections of the committee were suspended.

"It was agreed that the constitution must first be amended before other processes can take place.

"We did not want to disturb preparations for this year’s show,” Mavankeni said.

The society's management has come under severe scrutiny following the fallout, with critics pointing directly to show manager, Victoria Chikukwa, who faces allegations of nepotism and presiding over a biased administration.

When contacted for comment regarding the administrative allegations, Chikukwa declined to give an immediate response.

“I am currently at church. May you please call me later,” she said.

Similarly, Midlands Show Society Chairperson, Augustine Mupakurirwa, declined to comment on the operational disputes when reached by telephone.

“I am currently attending a funeral and I am not in a position to comment at the moment,” Mupakurirwa said.

With the crucial committee elections legally sidelined, the immediate focus shifts to the mandated constitutional amendment process, even as the broader membership vows to block any future electoral processes until an independent forensic audit of the society’s financial books is executed.