Chiredzi West MP Darlington Chiwa Arrested by ZACC Over Alleged CDF Abuse

Chiredzi West MP Darlington Chiwa has been arrested by ZACC over alleged abuse of Constituency Development Funds, sparking debate over accountability, corruption and oversight within Zimbabwe’s ruling party (image source)

MASVINGO — Chiredzi West Member of Parliament Darlington Chiwa was reportedly arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) on Tuesday shortly after attending a Zanu PF internal disciplinary hearing in Masvingo over allegations of abuse of Constituency Development Funds (CDF).

Sources familiar with the matter said Chiwa was taken into custody immediately after the party proceedings, which were convened to probe allegations that he misused CDF resources meant to finance community development projects in his constituency. Details surrounding the exact nature of the alleged offences and the amounts involved have not yet been officially disclosed.

The arrest comes amid heightened scrutiny over the handling of public funds by elected officials, with ZACC intensifying investigations into alleged corruption and mismanagement across government institutions. The anti-graft body has repeatedly said public office holders will be held accountable for the use of state resources, regardless of political affiliation.

Chiwa’s detention has also exposed growing internal tensions within the ruling party, as Zanu PF grapples with allegations of corruption involving its members. Constituency Development Funds have long been a flashpoint in Zimbabwean politics, with critics arguing that money intended for local infrastructure, social services and economic projects is often diverted for personal or political purposes.

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ZACC had not issued an official statement by the time of publication, and it remains unclear when Chiwa is expected to appear in court. The commission has, however, maintained that investigations involving public officials will be pursued without fear or favour.

Political analysts say the case could become a litmus test for Zimbabwe’s anti-corruption drive. “This is a test case for ZACC. If the matter is pursued transparently and decisively, it will send a strong message that misuse of public funds will not be tolerated,” said one analyst.

The development has also sparked debate within Zanu PF, with some members reportedly calling for stronger internal oversight mechanisms to curb abuse of CDF allocations, while others argue that the party should allow ZACC to operate independently to avoid perceptions of political interference.

Meanwhile, residents of Chiredzi West are watching developments closely, amid concerns that funds meant to improve local infrastructure and service delivery may have been misappropriated. The case once again highlights the broader challenge of enforcing accountability in Zimbabwe’s governance structures, where corruption has frequently undermined development efforts.