By Rudo Saungweme

MDC Alliance Makokoba Constituency MP, James Sithole together with three co-conspirators appeared before Bulawayo Magistrate court on allegations of embezzling funds belonging to a local burial society yesterday.

Sithole, Jacob Manyange, Raymond Gombedza and Manyara Mazambani appeared before Bulawayo magistrate, Shepherd Munjanja facing two accounts of theft charges.

It is alleged that, in 2010 the four men acted in a common purpose and sent Manyange to collect SAR10 000 rand from the treasurer of Makokoba burial society, Margret Sibindi. The accused then went on to use the money for their personal use and did not recover it.

In 2011 Sithole went on to embezzle another US$ 4 250 from the burial society. The money was a restitution order from Sibindi who was charged for stealing the money that she was responsible to keep as the society`s treasurer.

It is further alleged that, Sithole who was the Chairperson of the burial society sent Manyange to go to the court to sign for the money and collect it.

However Sithole is disputing these allegations saying that they are an attempt by his rival MDC factional opponents to tarnish his image.

“That said, witnesses in the case comprise of some party members who were not successful at the 2019 Bulawayo Provincial and District Congresses. Others, from Thokozani Khupe`s MDC-T, have never been members of the burial society. Sources point to some among them working with a former Zanu PF MP for Makokoba,” he said.