Mukudzei Chingwere-Senior Reporter
GOLD smuggling and border corruption loopholes are among high-risk areas targeted under a new five-year anti-corruption strategy approved by Cabinet, as Government moves to bolster institutional accountability, tighten enforcement and digitise public services.
The National Anti-Corruption Strategy 2 (2026–2030) unites State institutions and citizens in a coordinated drive to prevent, detect and prosecute graft while strengthening national integrity systems.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Zhemu Soda announced the approval after yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, noting that the framework prioritised prevention alongside investigation and prosecution.
“The National Anti-Corruption Strategy 2 (2026-2030) provides a coordinated, Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society framework to address corruption and strengthen Zimbabwe’s national integrity system,” said Minister Soda.
“The Strategy prioritises prevention alongside investigation and prosecution, with results-based monitoring, integration into Government budgets and workplans, and support from development partners while maintaining national ownership.
“Its intended outcomes include more accountable institutions, effective laws and enforcement, greater citizen participation, reduced corruption risks and more transparent digital services.”
Anchored on six pillars — legal reforms, institutional strengthening, law enforcement, public participation, high-risk sector interventions and digitalisation — the strategy integrates directly into Government budgets and work plans with results-based monitoring.
Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube, who presented the blueprint as chairperson of the Cabinet Committee on National Development Planning, singled out gold smuggling as a priority area requiring urgent intervention.
He added that sealing border management gaps and improving inter-agency information-sharing will help curb graft.
“That’s already a high-risk area. Focusing on that is critical as part of this strategy,” said Prof Ncube, referring to gold smuggling.
“And above all, if we can digitise our systems, working well, share information easily, it will go a long way in preventing some of the corruption that we see.”
Expanding digital systems is expected to enhance transparency, minimise human interference in public processes and streamline inter-agency coordination.
The blueprint also reinforces the entire enforcement chain—from detection and investigation to prosecution and the forfeiture of criminal proceeds—while proposed whistleblower legislation will protect citizens who expose wrongdoing.
Ministries and public bodies must additionally tighten internal controls, oversight mechanisms and conflict-of-interest management under a broad rollout spanning Government, the private sector and civil society.
