Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve, Zimpapers Writer
THE Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) has recorded a 61 percent success rate in the implementation of the first National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS 1), marking a major milestone in the country’s ongoing fight against graft.
The four-year strategy, launched in 2020 by President Mnangagwa, focused on strengthening investigation, prevention and public engagement in anti-corruption work. As it concludes, Zacc has now begun nationwide consultations for its successor — NACS 2, which aims to consolidate gains and deepen accountability across all sectors.
On Monday, Zacc convened a provincial consultative meeting in Lupane, Matabeleland North, bringing together traditional leaders, civil society, academics and private sector representatives to contribute to the new framework. The meeting followed similar engagements in Bulawayo, Midlands, Manicaland and Harare.
Zacc Commissioner Chido Madiwa, who officially opened the session, said the first strategy had laid a solid foundation for institutional reform and citizen participation in anti-corruption efforts.
“It is my pleasure to highlight the significant progress made in our National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS 1), launched by President Mnangagwa in July 2020. Over its four-year tenure, NACS 1 achieved a remarkable 61 percent success rate in corruption investigation and prevention metrics,” she said.
Comm Madiwa said the new strategy — NACS 2 — would build on five key pillars: Public Engagement, Legal Reform, Institutional Reform, Enforcement, and Priority Sectors.
The Public pillar will empower communities to participate actively in fighting corruption; Legal Reform will focus on tightening laws and closing loopholes and Institutional Reform will strengthen governance systems.
The Enforcement pillar will intensify investigation, prosecution and asset recovery efforts, while Priority Sectors will target high-risk areas with major economic and social impact.
Comm Madiwa said the new strategy’s success would depend on broad-based participation.
“The fight against corruption cannot be left to a few. It affects us all, and its solution must come from all of us. Sustainable anti-corruption efforts cannot be imposed from above — they must emerge from within society itself and be owned by the people whose lives are diminished by corruption,” she said.
ZACC said it will continue holding consultations across provinces before drafting the final NACS 2 framework. Stakeholders — including the private sector, traditional leaders, women, youth, and civil servants — have been urged to contribute ideas to ensure the strategy reflects Zimbabwe’s collective determination to root out corruption.
The NACS 1 was launched in July 2020 to coordinate national efforts in fighting corruption through prevention, public education, transparency and enforcement.
It sought to align Zimbabwe’s anti-corruption drive with Vision 2030 and international instruments such as the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) and the African union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption.
Over its four-year period, NACS 1 established strong collaboration between ZACC, law enforcement agencies, and civil society, resulting in improved investigation capacity, increased asset recovery, and enhanced awareness campaigns.
