NDAMU SANDU/TINASHE MAKICHI
The newly appointed anti-corruption prosecution unit is set to fast track the prosecution of high profile corruption cases of former Mines and Mining Development Minister Walter Chidhakwa and the ministry’s former permanent secretary Francis Gudyanga.
The special prosecution unit is also said to have instructed the arrest of other political bigwigs who have been implicated in corrupt activities.
Chidhakwa and Gudyanga’s dockets are currently being compiled.
President Mnangagwa recently constituted a Special Prosecuting Unit in his Office to expedite prosecution of graft cases. The unit’s terms of reference include collaborating with the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) and the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and other such institutions in the fight against corruption.
The unit is assisting ZACC and other investigative agencies of the State in the perusal and consideration of corruption dockets, subject to the issuance of authority to prosecute by the Prosecutor General. Members of the unit are bound by the Official Secrets Act (Chapter 11:10).
To date, the unit has successfully prosecuted a graft case involving former Energy and Power Development Minister Samuel Undenge. Businessman Wicknell Chivhayo was arrested last week and is fighting to get bail at the High Court. Chivhayo is facing charges of allegedly defrauding Zimbabwe Power Company of $5 million and externalisation.
Business Times is informed that the unit is aware of some cases involving Chidhakwa and Gudyanga which are still before the courts but there has been an instruction that the cases have to run smoothly in the absence of corruption and unnecessary delays.
There are also indications that Chidhakwa and Gudyanga could be facing fresh charges once investigations into the allegations are complete.
“This time corruption cases will be allowed to run smoothly because as you are aware, the prosecution of these high profile cases has been frustrated mainly by corruption and unnecessary delays. There has been a lot of political interference in the past.
The source also noted that the prosecution managed to plug the loopholes behind delays in the prosecution of high profile cases and more big wigs with corruption cases will be visitors of the state soon.
Another high profile case currently awaiting trial is that of former Higher and Tertiary Education deputy minister Godfrey Gandawa, who is facing criminal charges over the alleged abuse of funds at the Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund.
In his inaugural speech in November, Mnangagwa said he would intensify the fight against corruption. The wheels have been moving slowly on that front.
Mnangagwa said last week that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) had been reluctant to prosecute in criminal cases.
“I believe that you are aware that I was not happy with the NPA because a number of criminal dockets piled in that department without being prosecuted. The judiciary came to me to complain about lack of prosecution and postponement of cases,” Mnangagwa said last week in response to questions from Business Times.
“In terms of the law, they have a right to appeal to the President. They appealed and I granted that permission which led to the creation of the tribunal and to the suspension of the Prosecutor General. Since then, I see that criminal cases have been set for hearing. I have no doubt that there will be change. I am against corruption.”
Prosecutor General Ray Goba was suspended last month and a tribunal constituted to investigate the PG on charges of failing to prosecute high profile corruption cases.
Kumbirai Hodzi was appointed acting Prosecutor General.
Mnangagwa said he has also asked the NPA to give authority to lawyers in the private sector to render their services in private prosecution.
Corruption has been blamed for stalling economic development and a cost on business as high level bureaucrats demand kickbacks to approve projects. A 2016 report by the Transparency International showed that Zimbabwe was losing at $1 billion annually due to corruption.
