TINASHE MAKICHI/RYAN CHIGOCHE
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) is pushing for its reinstatement as one of the enforcement agencies in the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act, which enforces unexplained wealth orders, Business Times can report.
The move comes after ZACC was removed as one of the enforcers when the Act was recently amended.
Speaking at a virtual annual general meeting last week, ZACC chairperson Loice Matanda-Moyo (pictured) believes the reinstatement would ensure that no one would benefit from ill-gotten wealth.
“In that regard, I am happy that the government through the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development has fast tracked the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Amendment Act which enforces unexplained wealth orders.
“I however, bemoan the removal of ZACC as an enforcement agency for unexplained wealth orders and request the Ministry to consider amending the Act to include the Commission,” Matanda-Moyo said.
She said corruption in Zimbabwe was rampant across all sectors of the economy including government, State enterprises and parastatals, NGOs and the private sector.
In 2019, Zimbabwe was ranked 159/180 on the Corruption Perception Index and has moved two places in a positive direction and now ranks 157/180 showing that there is still a long way to go as far as curbing or ending corruption is concerned.
However, the commission is optimistic it can further improve the country ranking on the Corruption Perception Index having achieved a lot of their set targets since their inception in 2019, the chairperson reported.
To date, through various assets forfeiture initiatives, at least 10 mansions and 22 luxury vehicles worth millions of United States dollars have been seized from high-profile figures who failed to account for their source of wealth.
“When we assumed office no asset recoveries were taking place. I am happy to announce that ZACC has since commenced parallel investigations in all its cases, that is, pursuing criminal investigations as well as investigations that will lead to civil forfeiture.
“No one is going to continue to benefit from ill-gotten wealth. It should be known and appreciated within our nation that crime does not pay,” Matanda-Moyo said.
To date ZACC has received a total of 157 high profile cases.
ZACC engaged the Zimbabwe Republic Police who provided experienced staff to boost investigations.
ZACC, Matanda-Moyo said, was aiming at 99% convictions for all matters taken to court going forward.
She said the commission has put a mechanism of vetting dockets before referral to the National Prosecution Authority and now has mechanisms in place to ensure quality investigations.
“Be assured that we now have mechanisms in place to ensure quality investigations. As ZACC we are aiming at 99% convictions for all matters taken to court.”
However, for that to be achieved and with consistency the commission has asked the government to offer better packages so that the commission will be able to employ experienced personnel to help in preventing corruption.
“We are continuously lobbying the Treasury for better conditions of service for ZACC officers as ZACC needs to attract and retain officers with special skills inclusive of legal, property valuation, engineers, financial intelligence, auditing and accounting skills,” Matanda-Moyo said.
