The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has warned
tax evaders that they face imminent arrest as it intensifies efforts to plug
Government revenue leakages, standing at $2 billion per year.
Speaking at a function organised by Transparency
International Zimbabwe (TIZ) to discuss gendered corruption recently, ZACC
chairperson Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo said Zimbabwe was losing about $2 billion
due to revenue leakages.
To that end, she said ZACC would intensify efforts to stop
the leakages.
“ZACC is on record that those who have an affinity for
either evading or avoiding tax obligations will be fully brought to account for
their actions. I think from the studies carried out last year, Zimbabwe is
losing $1.8 billion every year due to leakages in various sectors.
“We will institute thorough investigations, recover assets,
arrest and hand suspects over to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for
prosecution without fear or favour,” Justice Matanda Moyo said. She said more property will be seized and forfeited to the
State.
“The current commission has been in office for less than 12
months, but I can assure you that we tried our best to rejuvenate ZACC as an
institution. Currently, we are running out of space to store recovered
property.
“A number of bank accounts have been frozen but again, we
are still working on the legal framework to ensure that we finalise the
processes with the courts.”
She assured the nation that the “catch and release” days
were now over and that the commission would not rest until there was
behavioural change. Turning to the corruption perceptions Index results on
gendered corruption, Justice Matanda Moyo said women should be considered for
higher offices and be included in decision-making. Basing on earlier studies
and reports, Justice Matanda Moyo said women have proved to be less corrupt.
“The gender corruption barometer is an important study.
Without taking any bias, in Zimbabwe it appears as if more males are prone to
corruption than females. Maybe it is time that we give women an opportunity to
assume leadership positions in private and public institutions if we are to
make significant progress in the anti-corruption drive.”
She said ZACC will continue to fight corruption until the
global perception on Zimbabwe improves.
“We will not rest until Zimbabwe improves on its global
perception index to the levels that make it easier to receive Foreign Direct
Investment, which in effect, will breathe life on struggling industries.”
Herald
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