Mako Jerera
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) held its inaugural annual general meeting (AGM) on Thursday, July 5, 2021, in compliance with Section 33(3) of the Public Entities Corporate Governance Act Chapter 10:31.
Since COVID -19 has disrupted the conventional way of holding meetings, the meeting was held virtually and was attended by various stakeholders from different Government line ministries.
Chairperson of the Commission, Justice Loice Matanda Moyo said ZACC have submitted it’s 2020 Annual Report and now await for its presentation before Parliament for transparency purposes.
“We have now submitted our 2020 Annual Report and we now wait for its presentation before Parliament for transparency. In essence, it is important that all ZACC activities be transparent not only to the public but to all key stakeholders and that ZACC be accountable for the funding it receives from Treasury.”
The Chairperson added that they have overcome some significant challenges to meet targets over the past few years.
“We met these targets and in several areas, we exceeded them. We achieved this despite some major challenges, including COVID-19 pandemic, resistance and interference from some individuals in offices of high authority,” she said.
In spite of the challenges encountered to date in the delivery of their Constitutional mandate, she assured the nation that mechanisms have been put in place to ensure quality investigations.
“As ZACC we are aiming at 99 percent convictions for all matters taken to court. In-house, ZACC has put a mechanism of vetting dockets before referral to the National Prosecution Authority (NPA),” she added.
She added that ZACC has taken an interest in how the NPA prosecutes its matters and has been sitting in all prosecution cases to witness such proceedings in court.
Meanwhile ZACC’s financial statements had not been done or audited since 2012 when the Commission took office.
“We undertook to have all the outstanding Financial Statements completed, audited and to date the Auditor General has audited 2012-2017 Financial Statements.
ZACC has also submitted its 2018-2020 Financial Statements.”
In support of His Excellency’s stance on zero tolerance to corruption, ZACC established three Programmes to drive its strategy and realize the set targets and outcomes for 2021 in line with the National Development Strategy (NDS 1
These are, Corporate Affairs which supports the operations of ZACC, Combatting Corruption comprising investigations and asset recovery were ZACC attributes sixty percent (60%) of its strategic focus and Prevention of Corruption comprising public education, systems and compliance and research where ZACC has attributed forty percent (40%) of its strategic focus.
Justice Matanda Moyo, also called for the strengthening of institutions with oversight roles.
“In line with collaboration ZACC is also advocating for the strengthening of institutions with oversight roles in the fight against corruption like ZRP and NPA by way of enhancing skills. They should be fully resourced and capacitated in order to effectively carry out their functions,” she added.
In line with e-governance, ZACC established digital platforms to increase visibility and access to its services.
“These are ZACC website, Facebook, Twitter handle, a WhatsApp platform and anonymous whistle blower application.”
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