Online Reporter
Victor Maphosa
Mashonaland East Bureau
ZIMBABWE Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has embarked on an awareness campaign against illegal land dealings in Mashonaland East Province as it intensifies the fight to end corruption involving land.
ZACC launched the provincial awareness campaign at Mahusekwa Business Centre in Marondera on Thursday.
The campaign also came following continuous reports received by ZACC, involving illegal land dealings not only in Mashonaland East, but across Zimbabwe.
Speaking at the launch, ZACC Prevention and Corporate Governance chairperson Commissioner Chido Madiwa said the campaign comes at a critical time when both State and communal lands were under immense exploitation by corrupt individuals.
“The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) is deeply concerned about the increasing reports of land-related corruption, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas,” Commissioner Madiwa said.
“Corrupt individuals are colluding to illegally sell communal, state, and agricultural land. This criminal behaviour deprives rightful owners and future generations of their land, disrupts orderly settlement planning, undermines food security, and fuels conflicts within communities.
Tragically, these injustices often worsen the plight of the most vulnerable, including women and children.
“Over the past two years, ZACC has received more than 250 reports of corruption involving illegal land sales. As an institution mandated to lead the fight against corruption, we believe the solution lies in behavioural change among citizens. Such change can only be achieved through continuous and meaningful engagement between the people and ZACC —interactions that are honest, sincere, and aimed at addressing the root causes of illegal land sales.
“Today, we are here to engage with and educate the people of Mashonaland East on the importance of preserving land and ensuring its sustainable use for future generations.”
She said the anti-graft organisation in its fight against graft is guided by the philosophy, “Our land is our heritage”.
“This principle reminds us of the spiritual and cultural significance of land, the foundation of indigenous knowledge, languages, and customs. It also compels us to protect the land we hold in trust for future generations, ensuring they inherit not just property, but dignity, history, and autonomy.”
