The newly-appointed Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) commissioners have been told to fight corruption independently without fear or favour.
The Anti-Corruption Trust of Southern Africa (ACT-SA) said that ZACC should be given adequate resources to enable it to fulfil its mandate.
ACT-SA chairperson David Jamali said:
We are now happy that at least Zacc will be functional with a chairperson and commissioners, after a very long time. The commission now needs adequate resources to take the corruption fight to another level.
The people of Zimbabwe have suffered for far too long because of corruption. Zacc, this time around, should turn around the situation by fighting corruption independently and without fear or favour.
Jimali went on to say that Zimbabwe needs a national strategy to fight corruption, where the fight is not that of ZACC alone. He said:
… What is needed is a national anti-corruption strategy and action plan, developed through an inclusive and participatory process bringing all key stakeholders together and giving them a role to play.
That way, the fight against corruption is not going to the preserve of Zacc, alone, but everyone’s responsibility, including traditional leaders, the private sector, women, the youth and civil society organisations, among others.
The fact that the country itself has no national anti-corruption strategy and plan poses a national threat.
Last week President Emmerson Mnangagwa swore in seven new ZACC commissioners. These were Fungai Jessie Majome, John Makamure, Gabriel Chaibva, Thandiwe Thando Mlobane, Frank Muchengwa, Retired Major Michael Dennis Santi and Kuziva Phineas Murapa.
The eighth person, Mabel Ndakaripa Hungwe, could not be sworn in as she was said to be out of the country.