By Correspondent
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has carved a niche for itself as a hunter for CEO’s across the country.
In recent years, it has arrested over 15 Rural District Council CEO’s on corruption charges.
Below we list some of the CEO’s who have been arrested.
Pius Mushaya -Makoni Rural District
In January 2025, the ZACC arrested Pius Mushaya, the former acting Chief Executive Officer of Makoni Rural District Council.
He was arrested on allegations of purchasing a personal house unprocedurally.
Allegations were that in 2012, during his tenure as acting CEO, Mushaya misappropriated US$17,500 from the Capital Development Fund (CDF).
He used the money to purchase a house for himself as part of his benefits, in violation of council regulations.
Ishmael Jachi-Buhera Rural District Council
Acting Buhera RDC CEO Ishmael Jachi was arrested in August 2025 on charges of criminal abuse of office.
Jachi was jointly arrested by Buhera CID with Procurement Clerk Theresa Mubaiwa (36) and Murambinda Town Board Manager Tranos Hondongwa (42).
Also arrested were Council Engineer Taurayi Makoni (45), Accounting Officer Paul Makundidze (45) and Council Committees Officer Victor Tazvivinga (37).
Allegations are that the six violated the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act Chapter 22:23.
Fungai Meregedze- Zaka Rural District Council
Zaka RDC Chairperson Fungai Maregedze was nabbed by the ZACC on October 02 on several charges of criminal abuse of office.
Tinos Marisa-Guruve Rural District Council
Guruve Rural District Council Chief Executive Officer Tinos Marisa was arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission on Friday over allegations of corruptly allocating stands.
The state alleges that Marisa corruptly authorised the sale of stands in Guruve from 2016 to 2020.
Emily Chibvongodze-Buhera Rural District Council
In February, ZACC arrested the former Chief Executive Officer of Buhera Rural District Council.
He was arrested together with Torai Mudyiwa, the head of the Procurement Management Unit.
They were accused of unlawfully awarding a tender to Leapium Holdings Equipment, a company that allegedly did not meet the necessary procurement requirements.
Luke Kalavina-Hurungwe Rural District Council
The CEO was arrested on allegations of defrauding the RDC of over US$65,000 intended for infrastructure projects.
He was found guilty and received 36 years, while the council’s engineer Romeo Mupamaonde and his assistant Alfred Makama, were each sentenced to 52 years for four counts of fraud.
The rulings rank among the toughest ever imposed on public officials in Zimbabwe.
Peter Chibi- Bikita Rural District Council
In March 2023, ZACC arrested the Bikita Rural District Council (RDC) Chief Executive Officer over allegations of corruption emanating from the purchase of seven vehicles using council funds in 2022.
The said vehicles were bought after the RDC sought a loan and went on to purchase the vehicles without the approval or knowledge of the Minister of Local Government and Public Works, July Moyo.
Alois Gurajena-Murewa RDC
In November 2021, ZACC arrested Murehwa Rural District Council CEO, Alois Gurajena, after he was implicated in a corruption scandal.
According to ZACC, Gurajena ignored standard procedure in subdividing a farm in his area and parcelling out residential stands to home seekers.
ZACC said the farm was not formally handed over to the Ministry of Local Government by the Ministry of Lands.
As such, the Ministry of Local Government had not handed over the farm to Murewa RDC for urban development.
Peter Hlohla-Zvimba RDC
In July 2018, ZACC arrested Zvimba District Rural Council chief executive, Peter Hlohla, for fraud.
Allegations were that he illegally allocated land for residential stands in Mt Hampden.
Hlohla (40) was charged together with former physical planner, Takura Mabaya (34).
In November 2018 Tsholotsho Rural District Council Chief Executive Officer Themba Moyo was arrested on charges of criminal abuse of office and fraud.
His arrest followed an audit instituted by Government that revealed that the RDC had failed to account for more than $881 000 in council funds.
The allegations were misappropriation of ZIMDEF funds and Tsholotsho Stadium construction funds raised through the sale of 40 elephants.
He also faced allegations of failing to account for the timber and hunting quotas revenue.
Brian Rufasha- Tongogara RDC
In 2020, Tongogara Rural District Council CEO Brian Rufasha was suspended on a raft of corruption allegations dating back to 2018.
Rufasha’s case was unearthed by the Auditor General’s office, which then sent the file to the ZACC.
Melania Mandeya- Gokwe RDC
In 2019, ZACC also arrested Gokwe RDC CEO Melania Mandeya, leading to her suspension from work.
Councillors are reported to have discovered that Mandeya allocated herself and other top managers salaries well above the amounts stipulated by the government.
