Online Reporter
Trust Freddy-Herald Correspondent
A SPECIALISED team to combat corruption in local authorities tasked with taking land barons head-on is being set up by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, working with the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC).
The new unit will exclusively investigate and resolve allegations of misconduct against council officials and, learning from the problems that have faced Harare, ensure that there is a systematic investigation into corruption so that the police can bring bad apples to court.
Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe yesterday said the taskforce would focus on ensuring the prosecution of council officials with criminal records, whose cases have stalled due to lack of evidence.
“Currently, there are several corruption-related cases under investigation by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission and other law enforcement agencies in the majority of both urban councils and rural district councils,” Minister Garwe said.
“In the midst of numerous investigations which have resulted in arrests and suspensions of council officials, some of which, because of their complex nature go unresolved for years, the ministry in collaboration with the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission is setting up a special taskforce to exclusively investigate local authorities and ensure allegations raised against councils and their officials are thoroughly investigated and resolved.”
Minister Garwe stressed that the taskforce would be backing the police, fast-tracking criminal cases and aiding police officers in their investigations.
“It is important, however, to highlight that the involvement of the ministry in these investigations is not meant to undermine law enforcement agencies, but to ensure swift response to allegations raised against councils and their officials.”
ZACC chairperson Mr Michael Reza said the taskforce would leave no stone unturned in its pursuit of justice and accountability.
“We have noticed that a substantial number of corruption cases emanates from local authorities, and we have learnt our lesson from the City of Harare, where investigations were haphazard.
“Now, we are going to do it in a very coordinated manner, where there will be no room for guilty persons to escape,” he said.
He also revealed that the special taskforce would target all land barons in all local authorities.
