Chiredzi South MP Joel Sithole Granted Bail In Alleged US$50,000 Constituency Development Fund Scandal

Joel Sithole, the Member of Parliament for Chiredzi South, has been granted US$500 bail after appearing before a Masvingo court on allegations of misappropriating Constituency Development Fund (CDF) money intended for community projects. The legislator was arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) on Wednesday over allegations involving approximately ZiG$1.2 million, equivalent to nearly US$50,000. Prosecutors allege Sithole diverted public funds earmarked for infrastructure development projects and instead spent part of the money on groceries, hotel accommodation, and beer purchases.

According to court documents, Parliament transferred ZiG$1,234,150 into the Chiredzi South Constituency Development Fund account in August last year. The funds were reportedly allocated for approved community projects, including:

• Construction of a classroom block

• Roofing of staff houses at Gwaseche Primary School

• Roofing works at Makanani Clinic

However, prosecutors allege Sithole conspired with Edson Chauke, a co-signatory to the constituency account, to divert the money for personal use. The State claims Sithole transferred ZiG$850,000 from the CDF account to a local wholesaler for groceries. He is further accused of spending an additional ZiG$418,516 at grocery outlets, hotels, and beer halls. According to prosecutors, the MP later purchased 100 bags of cement and several roofing sheets for another school in an alleged attempt to create the impression that project work had begun.

The Masvingo Magistrates Court granted Sithole bail set at US$500. As part of the conditions, the court ordered the legislator to:

• Surrender his passport

• Continue residing at his current address

• Report to the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Chiredzi, every last Friday of the month

The matter was remanded to April 24 for further proceedings.

Sithole becomes the second ZANU PF legislator arrested this year over alleged abuse of Constituency Development Funds. Earlier this year, Darlington Chiwa was also arrested on allegations of squandering CDF money on beer, groceries, shoes, and building materials. Meanwhile, ZACC is reportedly investigating Tasara Hungwe over allegations that he transferred CDF funds into private companies linked to him before allegedly converting the money into United States dollars through a microfinance institution.

The latest arrests have intensified public scrutiny over the management of Constituency Development Funds in Zimbabwe. The CDF programme was established to finance community-based development projects identified by Members of Parliament and local communities. Anti-corruption analysts say repeated allegations involving misuse of public development funds risk undermining confidence in local governance structures and service delivery.

Harare-based governance analyst Dr Reuben Moyo said stronger monitoring systems were urgently needed.

“CDF funds are meant to directly improve schools, clinics and community infrastructure. Allegations of abuse damage public trust and delay development in already disadvantaged communities,” he said.

Joel Sithole arrest