Government Ministries Distance Themselves from Ex-CAES Director Facing Fraud Charges

Government ministries and agencies say they have no official relationship with former CAES director Martin Zharare, who is facing fraud allegations in multiple provinces.

By Southerton Business Times Reporter | HARARE

Former Citizens Against Economic Sanctions Zimbabwe (CAES) director Martin Zharare is facing mounting pressure after several Government ministries and agencies publicly distanced themselves from him amid ongoing fraud investigations in multiple provinces. Zharare is facing fraud-related cases in Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland West and Binga, although the allegations have not yet been tested in court.

The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) and the Office of the Minister of State for Mashonaland Central Provincial Affairs and Devolution have all said they have no contractual or official working relationship with Zharare.

The institutions also rejected claims that he was acting on their behalf or under any Government mandate in relation to the Presidential Borehole Drilling Programme. According to officials, Zharare allegedly represented himself as working with Government departments while engaging communities and stakeholders. The ministries said they had not authorised him to undertake any activities in their name. Southerton Business Times sought comment from Zharare. However, he did not answer repeated telephone calls or respond to questions sent to him before publication.

The developments come after CAES announced that Zharare had been removed from the organisation. Despite his expulsion, he has continued to maintain publicly that he remains in control of the organisation and has described the dispute as the result of internal factionalism.

The public statements by the Government institutions add to growing scrutiny surrounding allegations that some individuals may have falsely claimed links to official Government programmes, including the Presidential Borehole Drilling Programme.

Authorities have not publicly indicated whether the investigations involve the programme itself or relate to individuals allegedly misrepresenting their association with it. The latest developments are expected to intensify ongoing investigations into the alleged fraud cases while authorities continue to examine claims of abuse of public trust and possible misrepresentation involving Government projects. Under Zimbabwean law, criminal allegations remain unproven unless established in court, and accused persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Martin Zharare