CAES Disowns “Fake” Meeting as Corruption Allegations Deepen Against Former Official

CAES leadership confirmed that Zharare was formally expelled following a board resolution reached at a recent meeting in Gweru, where allegations of financial misconduct were deliberated and concluded.According to CAES Head of Security, Wallace Matavire, Zharare is accused of embezzling organisational funds and has allegedly gone on to establish a splinter group masquerading as part of the original structure. The controversy has been further fuelled by a flier circulating online, advertising a CAES meeting scheduled for March 19, 2026. However, the organisation has dismissed the notice as fraudulent.

In an official statement dated March 17, 2026, CAES board member Sylvia Dhliwayo made it clear that no such meeting had been sanctioned. Members are advised to disregard any unofficial communication and await verified updates through proper channels,” the statement read. Matavire also revealed that the matter has since been reported to law enforcement authorities in multiple provinces, including Mt Darwin, Bubi, Binga, and Midlands, where cases of alleged corruption and embezzlement have been registered.

Further allegations suggest that Zharare abused the Presidential Inputs Scheme by submitting names of non-members,reportedly including relatives and associates to benefit from agricultural inputs distributed through the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) in Mhondoro. Efforts to obtain a response from Zharare hit a snag, as his mobile phone was not reachable. Meanwhile, the CAES Board has urged its members to remain alert to misinformation, reaffirming its commitment to internal accountability and encouraging stakeholders to focus on the organisation’s policy priorities, including discussions around Amendment Bill No.