ZACC goes for broke

PHILLIMON MHLANGA

The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has proposed to retain 15% of the value of recovered assets to fund the body’s operations.

The anti-graft body stands accused of failing to bust corrupt practices despite having arresting powers.

ZACC says it has been underfunded to fight corruption. ZACC spokesperson John Makamure told the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Zimbabwe public sector meeting that ZACC was targeting to recover assets worth ZWL$300m by year end.

“Funding is a challenge. We have proposed that when we recover assets acquired corruptly we retain 15% of the value so that we finance our Commission,” Makamure said.

ZACC has so far identified assets worth aboutZWL$100m, according to Makamure, who added that some assets have been illegally siphoned out of the country.

He, however, said these have not yet been confiscated and recovered as efforts are still being made to put up adequate recovery processes.

Makamure admitted it was increasingly becoming difficult for ZACC to dismantle cartels, who were acquiring assets corruptly.

He said winning the war was not going to be achieved overnight.

“We are dealing with sophisticated cartels because the public sector is involved, politicians are involved and the private sector is also involved,’ he said.

“So, we have cartels ruling in this country.

To dismantle these cartels, it’s not going to be easy. It’s a very difficult fight. We need funding to unravel the complexity. There are cartels and most of them are complex. It’s going to be a long and painful journey.” Makamure said.

 ZACC has also submitted a proposal to have a whistleblower protection law, so that citizens are protected each time they report corruption.

He said there were more than 60 dockets submitted for prosecution.

But, what was worrisome is the slow pace of prosecution.

Makamure said: “We are concerned about the slow prosecution of cases. We have discussed with the Judiciary Commission. And they are amending the rules. We want to introduce a time limit by which cases should be completed within certain time limits.