Online Reporter
George Maponga
Masvingo Bureau
A Masvingo regional court has granted Chiredzi South legislator Joel Sithole US$500 bail after he appeared in court this Thursday afternoon facing criminal abuse of duty as a public officer charges.
Magistrate Mr Archie Wochiunga remanded Sithole to 24 April after he made an initial court appearance following his arrest by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission(ZACC).
Mr Godknows Mugondo appeared for the State.
Sithole allegedly abused ZWG$1,2 million from the Constituency Development Funds.
The ZWG1,234,150 (about US$50,000) was meant for developmental projects in his constituency, including the construction of a classroom block and roofing staff houses at Gwaseche Primary School and Makanani Clinic.
It is alleged that Sithole, who chairs the CDF committee and is a signatory to its bank account, diverted the funds to personal use.
On 2 August last year, Sithole, acting in common purpose with one Edson Chauke who is still at large, allegedly transferred ZWG850 000 from the CDF account to a local wholesaler for the purchase of groceries.
The State further alleges that between 2 and 7 August last year, Sithole also allegedly spent a further ZWG418 516 at various grocery outlets, hotels and beer outlets.
It is alleged that to conceal the alleged misappropriation, Sithole later on purchased 100 bags of cement and a few roofing sheets for a school to create the impression that work had commenced.
The State alleges that after learning that he was being investigated, Sithole tried to cover up the crime by depositing some money into the CDF account.
