A ruling Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) lawmaker is facing criminal allegations over money meant for classrooms and a rural clinic, after the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) arrested Chiredzi South Member of Parliament Joel Sithole in a Constituency Development Fund (CDF) case worth more than ZWG$1.2 million.
Prosecutors allege Sithole diverted ZWG$1,234,150, about US$50,000, paid by Parliament in August 2025 for community projects in Chiredzi South. The money was earmarked for a classroom block and roofing of staff houses at Gwaseche Primary School, plus upgrades at Makanani Clinic.
Instead, ZACC investigations allege the funds were routed into personal spending and a paper trail designed to look like procurement. Sithole, who is accused of chairing the constituency’s CDF committee and being a signatory to its bank account, allegedly transferred ZWG$850,000 to a local wholesaler, prosecutors say, claiming it was for groceries.
He is also accused of spending a further ZWG$418,516 at grocery outlets, hotels and beer halls. Prosecutors allege that after the money was spent, he bought 100 bags of cement and limited roofing materials for another school to create the impression projects had started.
What the case exposes about CDF money
The Constituency Development Fund is meant to finance small, visible projects in each constituency, typically classrooms, clinic improvements, boreholes, and basic infrastructure. When CDF money disappears, communities lose services first, and accountability arrives later.
ZACC says Sithole acted in common purpose with Edson Chauke, who is still at large. The unresolved question is not only who signed off on the withdrawals, but whether the state can recover the money quickly enough to complete the projects that were originally promised.
Sithole is expected to appear at the Masvingo Magistrates’ Court on March 26, 2026.
Additional reporting sourced from NewsDay. The Granite Post has independently verified key details.
