HARARE – Citizens Against Economic Sanctions Zimbabwe (CAES Zimbabwe) has placed its Executive Director and Board Chairperson, Martin Zharare, on suspension following allegations of financial misconduct linked to borehole drilling initiatives under a presidential programme.
In a statement issued after an extraordinary board meeting convened in Harare, the organisation said Zharare’s suspension takes effect immediately and will remain in force pending further action. The board cited what it termed “serious and gross misconduct” as the basis for the decision.
According to the statement, Zharare is accused of misleading communities in Binga Constituency by allegedly doubling the cost of drilling a single borehole from US$900 to US$1,800. The board claims that US$84,600 was raised for the project, with US$42,300 allegedly unaccounted for. In addition, a separate amount of US$25,200 reportedly collected for 14 boreholes is said to have been misappropriated, with no drilling work carried out.
Similar allegations were raised concerning borehole projects in Bubi, Matabeleland North, where US$4,500 was allegedly collected without any boreholes being drilled, and in Mashonaland Central, where US$10,800 meant for water projects is also said to have been diverted.
The board further alleges that Zharare repeatedly violated internal procedures, ignored resolutions made at ZANU PF headquarters, and falsely claimed party endorsement, actions which the organisation says damaged the reputation of both CAES Zimbabwe and the ruling party.
Additional accusations include the alleged misuse of over US$10,000 generated from the sale of CAES membership cards and branded T-shirts, as well as a suspected US$20,000 fraud involving a company identified as Africa Bird Company. The board also claims that Pfumvudza agricultural inputs acquired in CAES Zimbabwe’s name did not reach intended beneficiaries.
As part of the suspension conditions, Zharare has been ordered to hand over all organisational records and assets to the Board Secretary and to cease representing or conducting business on behalf of CAES Zimbabwe. The organisation has also cautioned members of the public that any engagement with him during the suspension period will be done at their own risk.
The matter has been formally communicated to senior party leadership structures, including national political commissariat offices, as well as CAES Zimbabwe’s national and provincial executives.
Attempts to obtain a response from Zharare were unsuccessful at the time of publication.
