adminDenford Chirindo said there was need to introduce an anti-corruption risk allowance for his officers to “insulate” them from the temptation.
Mr Chirindo was giving oral evidence before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Defence and Home Affairs.
The parliamentary committee chaired by Mount Darwin East MP Cde Dickson Mafios (Zanu-PF) wanted to be updated on the commission’s operations and challenges.
“Our staff earn an average of US$250 a month,” said Mr Chirindo.
“We believe this does not insulate them against corruption. They are vulnerable to bribes given that they are supposed to pursue cases involving millions of dollars.”
Mr Chirindo said there was need for additional funding to improve conditions of service for staff in the commission.
Secretary for Home Affairs Mr Melusi Matshiya said he will make presentations to Treasury to allow the commission to retain a portion of the money recovered in their investigations.
“It’s a formula we have used in my department. We have done that with the Registrar-General’s office and they are doing well, the same with Immigration and they have bought uniforms.
“We have also done that with the police and if the Anti-Corruption Commission is allowed to retain, say, US$100 000 of a million they recover, you are then achieving their independence,” he said.
On the independence of the commission, Mr Chirindo said while the Constitution provides that they should be independent, the fact that they report to Parliament through a line ministry created problems.
He said the Prevention of Corruption Act, which was being administered by the Ministry of Home Affairs, saw a department being created to administer and implement the Act, but in their view it is now running parallel to their commission.
Online Reporter