13/01/2026
TOP ARDA OFFICIAL ACCUSED OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT AS MANAGEMENT ALLEGEDLY TURNS A BLIND EYE
A senior official at the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) is facing multiple allegations of sexual harassment involving junior staff and colleagues, with insiders claiming the complaints form part of a long-running pattern of abuse allegedly ignored and covered up by top management.
The allegations centre on Shingirai Jenah, ARDA’s Director of Operations and Commercial Production. Several sources within the parastatal, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation, allege that Jenah has made persistent and unwelcome sexual advances toward female employees over a number of years.
One reported case involves a married female colleague who allegedly experienced sustained harassment at the workplace. Sources say the matter escalated to the point where her lawyers formally wrote to ARDA management. Despite the legal complaint, insiders claim no disciplinary action was taken.
“Nothing was done. The complaint was sidelined, and she was made to feel like she was the problem,” said a source familiar with the case.
The allegations are said to extend beyond a single incident. Multiple sources claim that interns and junior staff have also lodged complaints against Jenah, none of which resulted in accountability. According to insiders, this has fostered a hostile work environment where junior employees—particularly women—feel unsafe and powerless.
Sources further allege that Jenah intimidates potential complainants by claiming links to senior government officials and politicians. “He says he is untouchable. That’s how people are silenced,” one source alleged.
Beyond the individual accusations, insiders point to what they describe as a systemic failure within ARDA’s leadership. They claim complaints are routinely buried to protect senior officials. According to sources, ARDA Chief Executive Officer Tinotenda Mhiko was made aware of the formal complaint involving the married colleague but “could not take action,” a situation described as emblematic of a culture of mutual protection among top officials.
“This is how things work here. Senior officials protect each other while the abuse continues,” said a long-serving employee who spoke out on behalf of colleagues afraid to do so.
Efforts to obtain comment from Shingirai Jenah and ARDA CEO Tinotenda Mhiko were unsuccessful. Phone calls and written questions sent to ARDA’s head office had not been answered by the time of publication.
ARDA is a key state-owned enterprise responsible for agricultural and rural development in Zimbabwe. The allegations raise serious concerns about governance, accountability, and employee safety within the institution, particularly amid broader national and global scrutiny of workplace sexual harassment and power abuse.
This publication will continue to follow the matter and will update readers should ARDA or the named officials respond.
