daniel chigunwe
Trust Freddy
Herald Correspondent
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) recovered over US$30 million in stolen assets last year as it fights corruption on all fronts, going for criminal charges where possible but always seeking to strip the corrupt of their gains in civil suits, regardless of the outcome of criminal cases.
This robust set of civil actions coincides with ZACC’s notable achievements, having secured a 74 percent conviction rate during the same period when it laid criminal charges.
Speaking during the official launch of the Transparency International’s 2024 Corruption Perception Index (CPI), ZACC chairperson Mr Michael Reza said the anti-graft body was making positive strides.
“Over the past year, ZACC investigated 470 cases, referred 343 to the National Prosecuting Authority, secured a 74 percent conviction rate, that is 43 convictions against 15 acquittals; and recovered over US$30 million in stolen assets,” he said in a speech read on his behalf by acting ZACC executive secretary Ms Charity Matumbi.
In another front of ZACC’s campaigns, more than 12 000 people had signed Integrity pledges.
“The commission also intensified strengthening of public sector institutions through probity on transparency and accountability. These preventive measures saw 143 institutions establishing integrity committees and over 12 000 individuals signing integrity pledges. This is the reality we must measure, celebrate, and improve upon.”
While ZACC appreciated the CPI report, the body said Transparency International’s findings did not accurately reflect what is happening on the ground.
“The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission respects the insights this index provides but is equally mindful that perceptions are just that, perceptions. They may be informed by facts, but they can also be shaped by incomplete narratives or misleading information. Perceptions, however widely held, are never the full truth. They are a snapshot, not the entire story.”
According to the CPI findings, Zimbabwe scored 21 out of 100 on the corruption index, a decline from the 24 recorded in 2023, and was ranked 158 out of 180 globally.
However, Mr Reza said that while the statistics showed the need for improvement, the hypocrisy of developed nations should be exposed.
“As we reflect on our progress, we cannot ignore a painful irony that some nations ranked better on the CPI are complicit in undermining anti-corruption efforts.
“They harbour the proceeds of corruption, stalling the repatriation of stolen funds, and drag their feet on mutual legal assistance requests.
“This hypocrisy entrenches impunity and starves developing nations like ours of resources needed for progress. To those nations, we say that accountability cannot be selective. The fight against corruption demands global solidarity, not sanctimony.”
Online Reporter