ZANU PF MP, Joel Sithole, Blows Nearly Half A Million ZiG In CDF On Beers And Groceries

The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has confirmed the arrest of the Member of Parliament for Chiredzi South, Joel Sithole (ZANU PF), on charges of abuse of duty after he allegedly misappropriated more than ZiG 1.2 million from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

According to ZACC, Sithole allegedly received a CDF disbursement of ZiG 1,234,150 (equivalent to US$50,000) from the Parliament of Zimbabwe in August 2025.

The funds were earmarked for development projects, including the construction of a classroom block and the roofing of staff houses at Gwaseche Primary School and Makanani Clinic. Added ZACC:

“After receiving the funds, Sithole, who serves as the Chairperson of the CDF committee and is a signatory to its bank account, allegedly diverted the money.”

Investigations by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) established that Sithole, acting in common purpose with one Edson Chauke, who is still at large, transferred ZiG 850,000 from the CDF account to a local wholesaler for the purchase of groceries.

Sithole is also alleged to have spent ZiG 418,516 at various outlets, including grocery shops, hotels and beer outlets. Added ZACC:

“To conceal the alleged misappropriation, Sithole later purchased 100 bags of cement and a few roofing sheets for a different school to create the impression that project work had commenced.”

Sithole is expected to appear at the Masvingo Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 26 March 2026.

Another ZANU PF MP, Tasara Hungwe, the Member of Parliament for Mberengwa East, is under investigation for allegedly diverting more than ZiG 1.3 million in CDF funds.

Hungwe is alleged to have initiated a series of transfers that ultimately saw the funds deposited into the account of a microfinance company, which then reportedly paid him out in United States dollars.

Meanwhile, another ZANU PF MP, Darlington Chiwa, who represents Chiredzi West, was arrested by the ZACC for allegedly diverting more than ZiG 990,000 (approximately US$50,000 at the April 2025 exchange rate) from the constituency account into his personal accounts.

He is accused of using the funds for personal expenses, including beer, shoes, groceries and building materials, with only a small portion reportedly going towards constituency projects. The case is still pending.