MARONDERA Central MP, Lawrence Katsiru was last week fined $1 000 for fraud after he was brought before a disciplinary hearing by Zanu PF Mashonaland East.

He was charged with illegally soliciting for funds using the party’s name from private companies.

Katsiru, a former provincial administration secretary, was also barred from holding any public office for the next two years. Although he remains a legislator he will not be allowed to contest for a parliamentary seat in the coming elections.

The disciplinary hearing was conducted last Monday and was chaired by Zanu PF Mashonaland East commissar, Hebert Shumbamhini, assisted by Energy Mutodi and other party officials.

Shumbamhini and Mutodi were at one time dismissed from Zanu PF on charges of supporting President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s bid to replace then President Robert Mugabe. They were reinstated into Mashonaland East party structures early this year.

“You are found guilty of soliciting for funds on behalf of Zanu PF from private companies and you diverted the money sourced for personal use. ….You are, therefore, found guilty and charged $1 000 and suspended for two years from holding any public office,” part of the charge sheet reads.

Katsiru was also accused of bringing the party’s name into disrepute by engaging in corrupt activities when he was the administration secretary.

He is part of a group of senior Zanu PF officials in the province who are under fire for supporting the then G40 faction that was fronted by former First Lady Grace Mugabe and former ministers, Professor Jonathan Moyo and Saviour Kasukuwere.

Another perceived G40 member, Ambrose Mutinhiri, has since resigned from his parliamentary seat in Marondera West and has been appointed the interim president of the National Patriotic Front (NPF), which is believed to have the blessing of President Mugabe, his wife, Kasukuwere and Moyo among other fired senior Zanu PF officials and Cabinet ministers.

On the day he resigned, Mutinhiri accused Mnangagwa of organising a coup last November to remove Mugabe from office.