The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) says it has gathered more documentary evidence into a case of alleged money laundering and abuse of office involving Wicknell Chivayo, Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu.
Mpofu and Chimombe are embroiled in a dispute with Chivayo over the supply of election materials to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) in the run-up to the 23 August 2023 general elections.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the swearing-in of High Court Judges at the Constitutional Court in Harare on Monday, June 17, Reza said they have built a strong case against the trio. He said:
<blockquote>
I can tell you, right now we have some documents which we want to show the three gentlemen and I hope I am not prejudicing investigations, but I want Zimbabwe to know that we have not been sitting on this investigation.
We have collected certain facts and when that information comes on form 242 and if everything goes according to plan, we will use this to go to court. You will see detailed information with facts, figures and numbers. You will see those things mark my words.
</blockquote>
Reza warned the three men that should they fail to present themselves voluntarily to ZACC, they would visit them.
<blockquote>
We know they have their rights but we have our time limit. If they don’t come we will go after them… Zimbabweans should know that ZACC is not toothless. President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said there are no sacred cows.
I want Zimbabweans to know that there are no sacred cows in the fight against corruption and that is the stance we have taken as ZACC.
</blockquote>
Chimombe and Mpofu accuse Chivayo of fraudulently changing their contract with South African company Ren-Form and Better Brands to supply voting material to ZEC.
The US$40 million tender was for the supply of biometric voter registration kits and other electoral materials to ZEC during the 2023 general elections.
It is alleged that in cahoots with Ren-Form officials, Chivayo later fraudulently amended the agreement to remove his fellow business partners and grabbed the money for himself, 66% of the payments.
On Sunday, ZACC spokesperson Thandiwe Mlobane said they will interview Mpofu, Chimombe, and Chivayo to gather more information and gain clarity on the alleged ZEC deal. The three men are said to be currently out of the country.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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ZACC Has More Evidence Against Chivayo - Reza

Lawyers argue that President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s appointment of Deputy Prosecutor-General Michael Reza as the new Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) chairperson, replacing Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo, who now holds the position of Prosecutor-General, is unconstitutional.
Mnangagwa appointed Reza in terms of Subsection 1 (a) of section 254 of the constitution.
However, a lawyer who spoke to The NewsHawks said Reza does not have the required seven years of experience in legal practice to take that position.
Any commissioner who is a lawyer must have seven years of legal practice or be eligible to be appointed a judge or has been a High Court or Supreme Court judge.
However, Reza applied to join the Law Society of Zimbabwe to practice law in 2020 and registered the same year or in 2021 to become a lawyer.
This means he only has three or four years of experience, which is not enough for him to become a ZACC commissioner or, worse still its chairperson.
Reza holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the University of South Africa and a Master of Laws (LLM) degree from the Midlands State University, but does not qualify to be a commissioner. Said the lawyer:
<blockquote>
President Mnangagwa’s appointment of Reza as ZACC chair is unconstitutional; he is not qualified to be a ZACC commissioner as a lawyer in the first place because he doesn’t have enough experience to be there.
He needs to have seven years of experience – that means he has to be qualified to be a judge or has been a judge of the High Court or Supreme Court.
Even if we were to take the other requirement that one can be a commissioner if they have 10 years experience in investigating crime, which he probably has, the problem is that after the removal of Matanda-Moyo and Jessie Majome, there is no lawyer in the commission, moreso with the constitutionally required seven years experience.
</blockquote>
Majome, one of the commissioners who was qualified as a lawyer to be there, was appointed chairperson of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission.
According to The NewsHawks, this is not the first time that Mnangagwa has repeatedly violated the constitution on appointments.
In the past, he exceeded the constitutional limit by appointing additional unelected ministers to his cabinet. In each instance, he faced pressure to rectify the unlawful appointments.
These actions have prompted inquiries into Mnangagwa’s attention to detail and the calibre of legal and political guidance he receives.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Legal Controversy Surrounds Appointment Of Reza As ZACC Chairperson

Michael Reza, the newly appointed chairperson of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), has pledged to prioritize the recovery of wealth acquired through corruption.
He made this commitment during interviews with journalists on Wednesday, following his swearing-in into his new job by President Emmerson Mnangagwa at State House. He said (<a href="https://www.zimlive.com/reza-vows-to-seize-stolen-wealth-as-he-takes-oath-as-new-zacc-boss/">via ZimLive</a>):
<blockquote>
I was trained in asset forfeiture and money laundering. I went to South Africa, Botswana and Malawi all taking training in that aspect.
It is something dear to my heart. We are going to ensure that criminals are dislodged; proceeds of crime must be recovered and it must be known that crime does not pay…
I am going to ensure that no docket leaves ZACC unless it is complete and all elements of the crime have been attended to.
That way, we have a fighting chance to secure a conviction. Once we secure a conviction, people will have faith in ZACC and the administration of justice.
</blockquote>
Reza and Fungayi Jessie Majome were both sworn in on Wednesday. Majome now holds the position of chairperson of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC).
Reza stepped into the role previously held by Loice Matanda-Moyo, who became the Prosecutor General in October of last year. Meanwhile, Majome succeeded Elasto Mugwadi.
Before his recent appointment, Reza served as the deputy prosecutor general.
Majome, a former MDC MP and lawyer, played significant roles as Deputy Minister in both the Women’s Affairs and Justice ministries during the unity government from 2009 to 2013.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

New ZACC Chairperson, Reza, Pledges To Recover Stolen Wealth

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has appointed Michael Reza as the new Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC).
Reza, who previously served as the acting Deputy Prosecutor-General, steps into this crucial role to lead the fight against corruption in the country.
Reza takes over from Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo who was redeployed to the position of Prosecutor-General.
The appointment was announced by the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Martin Rushwaya, in a statement issued on Tuesday, March 20. Reads the statement:
<blockquote>
His Excellency the President has, in terms of Subsection 1 (a) of Section 254 of the Constitution, appointed Mr. Michael Reza as the Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission with immediate effect.
Mr. Michael Reza holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the University of South Africa and a Master of Laws (LLM) degree from the Midlands State University.
He has also undergone training in the handling of money laundering and asset forfeiture in South Africa, Botswana and Malawi under the sponsorship of the United Nations Organ on Drugs and Crime.
Mr. Reza possesses vast experience in criminal investigations and prosecution and has handled corruption cases at the highest level.
He has prosecuted serious crimes in the country’s Courts for over a decade.
</blockquote>
As a prosecutor, Reza gained notoriety for actively pursuing political trials against opposition activists.
His list of targets includes prominent figures such as Tendai Biti, Fadzayi Mahere, Joana Mamombe, Jacob Mafume, Cecilia Chimbiri, Makomborero Haruzivishe, Evan Mawarire, Job Sikhala, author Tsitsi Dangarembga, journalist Hopewell Chin’ono, and the international rights lawyer Siphosami Malunga.
Meanwhile, Mnangagwa also appointed,  Fungayi Jessie Majome, who was a ZACC commissioner, as the new chairperson of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC).
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Mnangagwa Appoints Michael Reza As ZACC Chairperson

Former chief prosecutor Michael Reza, known for his involvement in the detention of numerous opposition leaders, is rumoured to be in contention for a surprising appointment as the chairman of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC).
According to <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/mnangagwa-nominates-controversial-prosecutor-michael-reza-as-zacc-boss/">ZimLive</a>, President Emmerson Mnangagwa is seeking input from the parliament’s Committee on Standing Rules and Orders to assess Reza’s suitability for the position.
The other potential candidate being considered is Fulton Mangwanya, who currently serves as the director general of the Zimbabwe National Park and Wildlife Authority.
Should Reza be selected, he would take over from Loice Matanda-Moyo, who assumed the role of Prosecutor General in October of the previous year.
Michael Reza, who now works at the National Prosecuting Authority’s litigation department, actively pursued political trials against opposition activists.
His list of targets includes prominent figures such as Tendai Biti, Fadzayi Mahere, Joana Mamombe, Jacob Mafume, Cecilia Chimbiri, Makomborero Haruzivishe, Evan Mawarire, Job Sikhala, author Tsitsi Dangarembga, journalist Hopewell Chin’ono, and the international rights lawyer Siphosami Malunga.
Reza’s relationship with alleged land baron Kenneth Raydon Sharpe, against whom corruption complaints have been made to ZACC, has been questioned.
Reza was accused of “bias” as he led a three-year prosecution of CCC co-president Biti for “assault” after the latter allegedly called Sharpe’s sister-in-law Tatiana Aleshina “stupid.”
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Controversial Prosecutor Michael Reza Nominated For Top ZACC Post

Former Health and Child Care Minister Obadiah Moyo is reportedly seeking the relaxation of his reporting conditions on the basis that they are too costly and an inconvenience to him, The Herald reports. The matter came to light in court where Moyo made an application for his conditions of reporting 3 times a week to be relaxed.
According to the publication:
<blockquote>Obadiah Moyo, through his lawyer, said there were changed circumstances since his initial appearance on July 6 this year which warrants variation of his reporting conditions.</blockquote>
However the state led by prosecutor Michael Reza opposed Moyo’s application and reportedly cited these 3 reasons:
<ol>
<li>Nothing has changed since his first appearance in court.</li>
<li>Moyo did not challenge the conditions when they were imposed by the court on the day he was granted bail.</li>
<li>The conditions imposed were the ones which are compelling Moyo to return to court and they were still serving the purpose.</li>
</ol>
The Magistrate Mr. Trynos Utahwashe will rule on the issue on 27 October.
Moyo was arrested in July for his alleged involvement in the Draxgate scandal which saw a company called Drax supplying COVID-19 materials to the government at inflated prices. He <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/breaking-ed-fires-obadiah-moyo/">subsequently lost his job</a> due to the scandal.
More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/just-in-obadiah-moyo-seeks-relaxation-of-bail-conditions/">The Herald </a>

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