By Fanuel Chinowaita
Masvingo, 26 March 2026 – The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has arrested Zanu PF Member of Parliament for Chiredzi South, Joel Sithole, for allegedly diverting over ZWG 1.2 million from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) meant for critical infrastructure projects in his constituency.
Sithole’s arrest follows an investigation into the handling of a CDF disbursement of ZWG 1,234,150.00 (approximately USD 50,000) from the Parliament of Zimbabwe in August 2025.
According to ZACC, the funds were specifically allocated for development projects at Gwaseche Primary School and Makanani Clinic, including “the construction of a classroom block and roofing of staff houses.” However, Sithole, who serves as the Chairperson of the CDF committee and is a signatory to its bank account, allegedly diverted the money for personal enrichment.
Investigations revealed that Sithole acted “in common purpose with one Edson Chauke, who is still at large.” The pair reportedly transferred ZWG 850,000 from the CDF account to a local wholesaler “for the purchase of groceries.” Further records showed that Sithole spent an additional ZWG 418,516.00 “at grocery shops, hotels and beer outlets.”
In an attempt to conceal the alleged misappropriation, ZACC states that Sithole later purchased “100 bags of cement and a few roofing sheets for a different school,” a move investigators believe was a calculated effort “to create the impression that project work had commenced.”
Following his arrest, Sithole is expected to appear before the Masvingo Magistrates Court today, March 26, 2026, to face charges of abuse of duty.