Social Welfare Officer Choto Acquitted in Gweru Wheat Diversion Case
A Gweru magistrate has acquitted social welfare officer Maureen Choto (43) and Vungu RDC Ward 10 Councillor Sony Chitarata, along with five co-accused, of charges relating to the alleged diversion of drought relief grain. The group had been accused of siphoning 373 bags of wheat worth US$11,190 from a government relief consignment distributed through the Grain Marketing Board. The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) alleged Choto failed to account for the missing wheat after receiving 1,978 bags in December 2025. However, the case collapsed when key witnesses failed to implicate the accused, and no formal complaints were lodged by beneficiaries. Magistrate Sam Chitumwa ruled that the State had not provided sufficient evidence, leading to the acquittal. The matter, which dragged on for over a year, had spotlighted accountability in food aid distribution during drought relief efforts. Public prosecutor Fredrick Matsheza represented the State.
Dumisani Ndlovu 
GWERU – A Gweru-based social welfare officer, Maureen Choto (43) and Vungu Rural District Council Ward 10 Councilor Sony Chitarata, who were at the centre of allegations involving the diversion of drought relief grain, have been acquitted alongside five co-accused after a court found no evidence linking them to the crime.
Choto, a Child Protection Officer in the Department of Social Development and the local Chiundura Councillor Chitarata, were accused of leading a scheme to siphon 373 bags of wheat meant for vulnerable households in Chiwundura. The consignment, valued at US$11,190, was part of a government drought relief programme distributed through the Grain Marketing Board (GMB).
She was jointly charged with Charles Chanhuhwa (28), a former graduate intern, ZANU-PF Ward 10 Councillor Sonny Chitarata, Youth Chairperson Janet Chinyama, Lillian Magwai and truck driver Nqobile Mpofu.
Investigations by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) had alleged that in December last year, Choto received a consignment of 1,978 bags of wheat on behalf of the social welfare department but failed to account for 373 bags, which were allegedly diverted and sold.
However, the case collapsed in court after key witnesses failed to implicate the accused.
In his ruling, Gweru magistrate Sam Chitumwa found that the State had not provided sufficient evidence to support the allegations against Choto and her co-accused.
The court also heard that no formal complaint had been made by alleged beneficiaries regarding missing food aid, despite the case being initiated through investigations by ZACC.
Vungu Rural District Council Ward 10 Councilor Sony Chitarata
Public prosecutor Fredrick Matsheza represented the State.
Choto and the other accused had been arrested in early 2025 and placed on bail, with the matter dragging on for over a year due to several postponements before trial proceedings concluded.
The acquittal brings to a close a case that had cast a spotlight on the handling of food aid in drought-affected communities, with Choto’s role as a public officer drawing particular attention during the proceedings.
