The police authorities in Zaka are currently seeking the culprits responsible for a recent theft at Chinorumba High School in Zaka, where an estimated 500 kilograms of fish were illicitly harvested from the school’s fish pond.

These fish formed part of the Presidential Fish scheme, a government initiative that had previously benefitted the school in preparation for hosting a highly attended Zanu PF rally leading up to the 2023 harmonised elections. Through the Presidential Fish scheme, schools and communities with fish ponds receive fingerlings from the government.

Nixon Bhenyu, the school principal, acknowledged the incident but deferred detailed inquiries to the District Schools Inspector (DSI), Samson Chidzurira. Chidzurira confirmed being briefed by the school head regarding the theft of approximately 500 kilograms of fish, which has been reported to the police.

While acknowledging the incident on the Zaka Development WhatsApp platform, Zaka Central legislator and Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, Davis Marapira, expressed disappointment at those hindering progress. Marapira emphasised the importance of implementing robust security measures to safeguard crucial projects and prevent theft, stressing the necessity of protecting such initiatives in line with national development objectives.