Officials at the United States Embassy in Harare have been accused of mismanaging and allegedly embezzling funds earmarked for Alumni grants, following revelations contained in a financial audit report seen by this publication.
According to the audit document, thousands of dollars intended to support Alumni programs may not have reached their intended beneficiaries. The report alleges that certain officials coordinated events and travel activities as a means of accessing and diverting funds allocated under various grant programs.
Sources claim that more than US$200,000 may have been misappropriated by individuals involved in administering the Alumni grants. The allegations include staging or misrepresenting programs and sharing travel-related funds despite the events allegedly not occurring as reported.
Questions Over AEIF and Ambassadorial Grants
The audit highlights concerns surrounding a US$35,000 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) grant for 2024, reportedly awarded to journalist McDonald Gurura. Of the total amount, only US$20,000 was allegedly disbursed, leaving US$15,000 unaccounted for, according to the report.
Additionally, an Ambassador’s grant of US$24,000, intended for the Alumni office setup and furniture, is said to have been partially diverted. The audit claims that US$10,000 was used for unrelated purposes, including financing a Mandela Washington Fellowship post-fellowship cocktail event.
An anonymous Alumni member alleged that Alumni Coordinator Ben Simbarashe Juru established an association presented as an Exchange Alumni Association, but described it as a conduit for siphoning funds alongside certain embassy employees and former board members.
Regarding the Victoria Falls Regional Summit, it is alleged that he deliberately excluded several alumni from attending, despite the fact that independent alumni sponsors had offered to cover the costs for those who could not afford to participate. Instead of ensuring fair and inclusive representation, he is accused of favouring a select group of preferred associates, effectively turning the opportunity into an exclusive circle. Concerns have also been raised that candidate selection was not conducted on merit, but rather influenced by personal preference and alleged nepotism.
Governance and Registration Concerns
The outgoing treasurer, in a 17-page report, reportedly raised alarm over governance irregularities. The document alleges that the association was portrayed as an independent Private Voluntary Organisation (PVO), yet has not been re-registered in compliance with Zimbabwe’s gazetted regulations. Despite this, it continues to receive and allocate funds.
Further allegations involve a proposed US$35,000 AEIF grant for 2025, intended for another alumnus, Witness Ukama. It is claimed that the outgoing board was pressured to sign documentation acknowledging receipt of only US$27,000, with the remaining US$8,000 allegedly excluded from board oversight. Resistance from two key outgoing board members reportedly stalled the process.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that the current board, led by Chairperson Freedom Makanga and Treasurer Elton Chikudza, is now facilitating the grant.
Disputed Expenditures and Website Costs
Members also questioned the reported US$917 cost of setting up the Alumni Association website, describing the figure as excessive. According to the audit, the Marketing and Communications Director, Nicolle Shana, used personal resources for website development and maintenance and was seeking reimbursement.
The Ambassador’s office grant also reportedly allocated US$3,000 for travel, intended to support membership engagement and strategic planning. However, the audit notes that these travel initiatives were halted by the Alumni Coordinator, who reportedly cited a shift in administrative priorities.
Victoria Falls Summit Expenditure
The audit further raises concerns over withdrawals totalling more than US$10,000, allegedly issued to Programs Director Cheurombo Pswarayi in connection with the Victoria Falls Regional Summit and other projects, including the “Speak Up Zimbabwe” initiative.
It is alleged that several board members formed a subcommittee for the summit and each received stipends exceeding US$500 per day over two days, despite constitutional provisions stating that board members should not personally benefit from Association funds.
Internal Fallout and Alleged Suppression
Following the circulation of the audit report by outgoing Treasurer Amanda Munyoro, it is alleged that the document was deleted from Alumni platforms and that she was subsequently removed from official communication groups. Other members who questioned financial discrepancies were reportedly removed as well.
Concerns have also been raised about representation within the Alumni leadership structure. Some members claim that the Mandela Washington Fellowship has been prioritised at the expense of other U.S. Department of State programs, despite the Alumni network reportedly comprising over 2,000 members across more than 10 programs, including YALI, Fulbright, and AWE.
Concerns Over Embassy Response
Alumni members have also raised concerns regarding the response from the Embassy’s Public Diplomacy Section. According to some sources, the current Public Diplomacy Officer allegedly demonstrated a lack of engagement with the issues raised in the audit report — a development that some Alumni say is troubling for an institution that publicly champions accountability and transparency.
Several members expressed the view that the Embassy appeared more focused on protecting and shielding the Alumni Coordinator, Ben Simbarashe Juru, rather than initiating an independent investigation and engaging openly with affected Alumni stakeholders. These claims remain allegations, and the Embassy has not publicly responded to the specific concerns.
Broader Implications
While this publication cannot independently verify the involvement of additional embassy officials named by some sources, the financial report dated 30 September 2025 reportedly details concerns surrounding the administration of Alumni funds. Other officials within the Public Diplomacy Section have been mentioned by Alumni members as having oversight responsibilities for grant management.
Efforts to have the matter covered by state and local media reportedly proved unsuccessful.
As an independent media house, we present these allegations following appeals from concerned Alumni members, who say they hope the matter will come to the attention of authorities in Washington, D.C., including the Office of the Inspector General.
At this stage, the allegations remain unproven, and no official response from the U.S. Embassy in Harare has been issued regarding the claims.
