HARARE – The finance director of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Zimbabwe, Fortune Goredema, has appeared in court facing allegations of defrauding the humanitarian organisation of nearly US$1.5 million — in a scandal that has since triggered the dramatic flight of his boss, country director Judith Musvosvi.
Goredema, who was hauled before Harare regional magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa this week, was granted US$1 000 bail and ordered to report to the police three times a week. He returns to court on July 7.
According to court papers, Goredema is accused of siphoning US$1 488 403 from ADRA between 2018 and 2024 using falsified records and fictitious transactions. Prosecutors said he misrepresented payments to statutory bodies — including the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) and the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) — by creating fraudulent entries in the agency’s accounting system, while pocketing the funds.
An internal forensic audit by the General Conference Auditing Services (GCAS), which was triggered by anonymous whistleblowers in July 2024, revealed that ADRA had failed to meet statutory obligations of over US$1.2 million in PAYE to ZIMRA and another US$160 437 due to NSSA. Goredema also allegedly overpaid himself by US$118 578 between 2023 and 2024.
The audit team, led by Paul Johnson, Shane Palipane, Oliver Masuku, and Innocent Muhabe, also found that Goredema doctored financial statements — a finding corroborated by external auditors from Baker Tilly.
Sources close to the investigation said Goredema partly admitted to the misconduct and pleaded for the issue to be handled internally within the church. But due to the gravity of the offences — including the misuse of donor funds — ADRA reported the matter to the police.
Insiders also claim that Goredema maintained multiple extramarital affairs with colleagues at the workplace, a situation that caused friction at home and reportedly contributed to the decision by some staff members to blow the whistle.
As the case unfolded, attention shifted to Musvosvi, the 65-year-old country director of ADRA Zimbabwe, who reportedly fled the country shortly after Goredema’s arrest.
Church insiders say Musvosvi boarded a bus to South Africa before making her way to Eastern Europe, telling friends she was attending her niece’s wedding. However, auditors had begun linking her to some of the authorisations behind the alleged embezzlement — leading to fears she may be evading arrest.
None of the stolen funds have been recovered.
ADRA, the humanitarian arm of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, is now facing operational paralysis in Zimbabwe as donors demand accountability.
