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Herald Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has advised the public to be wary of fake anti-graft organisations that are posing as legitimate entities, with the intention of extorting money from unsuspecting individuals under the guise of investigating corruption.
This follows a surge in the number of people pretending to be ZACC officials with over 16 organisations purporting to be investigating corruption.
In an interview, ZACC Chairperson, Mr Michael Reza, said only the police and the Commission itself are authorised to investigate corruption cases.
“What I want people to know is that there are only two organisations mandated to investigate corruption, and that is ZACC and the Police.
“If anyone approaches you, purports to be investigating corruption, and if you have doubts, just check with the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission to verify whether that person is an employee of the organisation,” he said.
Mr Reza, however, declined to name and shame the alleged bogus organisations, saying it would be improper to reveal their identities.
He said ZACC was working with the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs to put a stop to these alleged bogus anti-corruption organisations.
“We do have their names and we are working with the Ministry of Justice to ensure that we can do away with such organisations, because we need to put a stop to these organisations that purport to be authorised to investigate corruption when they do not have such a mandate.”
Several people were arrested last year for impersonating officers of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), including a Rimbi Tours bus conductor who threatened traffic police officers, two men who attempted to extort $1 000 from Bhola management, and a resident of Greendale, Harare who falsely claimed to be a ZACC official after being apprehended by Harare Municipality traffic officers for dangerous parking.
Online Reporter