The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) is seeking
prosecutorial powers to expeditiously process graft cases through newly
established Anti-Corruption Courts.
Currently, only the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is
constitutionally mandated to prosecute cases.
However, the Prosecutor-General, through the Criminal
Procedure and Evidence Act, can issue a certificate of prosecution to a private
party when the State declines to charge an accused person.
Zacc Commissioner John Makamure told The Sunday Mail the
proposal is designed to quicken the prosecution of corruption cases.
“Yes, we have made representations to be granted those
powers. (The) matter is under consideration,” he said.
“We are of the strong view that Zacc must be granted powers
to prosecute corruption cases, while the NPA must concentrate on other numerous
criminal matters.
“This will certainly speed up prosecution of corrupt cases.
Zacc can prosecute through the recently established Anti-Corruption Courts.”
Government launched specialised anti-corruption courts in
March last year. There are five such courts in Harare, Bulawayo, Masvingo,
Manicaland and Gweru. Zacc was given arresting powers in July through Statutory
Instrument 143 of 2019.
Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi
Ziyambi said he had not yet received the request.
He, however, emphasised that the corruption-busting body
should concentrate on “thorough investigations”.
“I do not know about that, but the Constitution gives NPA
powers to prosecute. As for Zacc, I think they have to strengthen their
investigating process. If they do thorough investigations, then the NPA can
also find it easy to prosecute suspects in court,” he said.
In addition to releasing $43 million to Zacc, Treasury has
also given it the nod to hire 60 more staff members to boost investigations,
systems and compliance, public education departments and other support services
such as finance, audit and risk, ICT and procurement.
Sixty percent of the budget – about $25 million — will be
earmarked to give oomph to investigations.
Commissioner Makamure said: “Due to frightening levels of
grand corruption (high-level corruption), the commission has decided to allocate
60 percent of its resources to investigations and the remaining 40 percent to
prevention programmes.”
Writing in an inaugural bi-weekly column that will be
carried by The Sunday Mail, Zacc — which has since completed its five-year
strategic plan (2020 – 2024) — said it was particularly committed to
exhaustively investigate corruption.
Already, more than 60 of the 200 high-profile cases were at
“advanced stages of investigation” and “dockets for several cases have been
submitted to the NPA for prosecution”.
Commissioner Makamure said part of the Zacc’s mission was
to recover ill-gotten wealth.
Assets worth $100 million have reportedly been recovered.
Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s Financial Intelligence Unit
(FIU) estimates that US$500 million worth of assets are lost annually through
corruption.
“Conviction alone is not enough. We would like to see
assets recovered from the culprits for the benefit of the nation. Zacc is
strengthening its asset recovery unit in order to recover this wealth for the
country,” he said.
As part of its five-year strategic plan (2020-2024) to
enhance efficiency, Zacc will from next year establish offices in provinces to
deal with corruption cases.
This process will be funded by the 2020 Budget. The commission plans to complement the strategic plan by
creating a solid National Anti-Corruption Strategy through incorporating views
from the public. Provincial consultative meetings will be held in the coming
weeks.
A new law to protect whistleblowers is presently being
worked on.
It is believed that although the Prevention of Corruption
Act protects whistleblowers, there further need to ensure their security.
“Lack of easily accessible anonymous complaints mechanism,
lack of protection from employer reprisals in the workplace and lack of
physical protection (including relocation) have severely hampered the work of
the commission,” said Commissioner Makamure.
Government’s endeavour to create a prosperous society is
premised on eliminating the scourge.
Seven witnesses have so far testified in the corruption
case involving former National Social Security Authority (Nssa) general manager
Elizabeth Chitiga.
Former Harare City Council bosses Sekesai Makwavarara and
Tendai Mahachi presently have cases before the courts.
The NPA is also prosecuting Zesa chief executive officer
Joshua Chifamba and ex-Energy and Power Development Minister Elton Mangoma.
Further the court also wants businessman Wicknell Chivayo
to answer charges for allegedly paying Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) ex-board
chair Stanley Kazhanje US$10 000 in bribes.
Kazhanje, who has since been convicted by the Harare Magistrates’
Court, is out on bail pending appeal.
Head of the Special Anti-Corruption Unit (Sacu) in the
Office of the President and Cabinet, Tabani Mpofu, said an appeal would be
lodged against Kazhanje.
Another corruption-related case pending in the courts is
that of former Mines and Mining Development Minister Walter Chidhakwa and his
then Permanent Secretary Professor Francis Gudyanga.
Former Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry
Minister, Prisca Mupfumira, is out on bail for corruption charges involving $95
million allegedly siphoned from Nssa.
Zacc is also hunting for former Nssa board chair Robin Vela
for charges related to Mupfumira’s corruption cases. Sunday Mail
0 comments:
Post a Comment