By Midlands Correspondent
 
ZANU PF Gokwe Sesame MP, Gordon Chanda and Ward 13 Councillor Georgina Chirongoma have been arrested for abuse of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s agricultural inputs, rice and extortion.

The duo was picked up Monday night by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Gokwe and spent the night behind bars.

They appeared at the Gokwe Regional Magistrates’ Courts where they were granted bail after paying $1000 bail each.

Zanu PF Midlands Provincial Chairperson Daniel Mackenzie Ncube said Chanda and Chirongoma were arrested for allegedly abusing the presidential inputs and rice. 

“We understand the MP and his councillor were arrested yesterday (Monday) for allegedly abusing presidential inputs which are meant to benefit villagers. We have, however, gathered that the two are now out on bail after paying $1000,” Ncube said.

The State, led by prosecutor Liberty Chimwaradze, said sometime in December last year, Chanda and Chirongoma took advantage of their positions and organised a meeting with village heads. They asked them to mobilise $5 from each of the 13 000 households in the ward.

The court heard that during the meeting, the two told village heads that the money was for the construction of Gande Clinic in the ward.

Chimwaradze said the village heads went out and collected $7 091 which was handed over to the duo.

The court heard that it was then discovered that the clinic was being funded by Gokwe South Rural District Council.

Earlier this month, another Zanu PF councillor in Shurugwi, Tapiwa Ndawana was arrested for allegedly stealing 10 bags of food aid meant for starving villagers in his area. 

Ndawana was arrested following a report to the police which was made by Shurugwi Assistant District Coordinator Desmond Gumbochuma who is the chairperson of the district’s drought relief programme.