Zanu-PF MP granted US$200 bail in CDF embezzlement case

THE Member of Parliament for Chiredzi West, Mr Darlington Chiwa, who is facing charges of allegedly embezzling Constituency Development Funds (CDF), has been released on bail set at US$200.

As part of the bail conditions, Chiwa was ordered to surrender the title deeds to his house as surety and to hand over his passport pending trial.

The State had opposed his release, arguing that he was likely to interfere with State witnesses. However, the court granted bail and ordered the legislator not to interact with any of the witnesses.

Chiwa was remanded to February 19 for further proceedings.

The legislator is accused of misappropriating funds meant for community development projects, allegedly spending the money on personal items including beer, shoes, groceries and building materials.

The amount involved is the equivalent of about US$50 000 in ZiG currency.

According to the allegations, Chiwa, in his capacity as chairperson of the Chiredzi West CDF committee, manipulated other committee members who were signatories to the constituency account, compelling them to relinquish their responsibilities so that he became the sole signatory.

It is further alleged that after Parliament of Zimbabwe disbursed the CDF funds, Chiwa diverted most of the money for personal use, channeling only about ZiG$270 000 towards community projects while allegedly squandering approximately ZiG$900 000.

The matter is still before the courts.