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Nqobile Tshili-Bulawayo Bureau
THE Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) is calling for mandatory jail sentences for those convicted of corruption, citing challenges in seizing assets and deterring graft.
Speaking at the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) 2025 legal year dinner, Zacc chairperson Mr Michael Reza said there is need for stricter penalties to combat corruption, which he described as a threat to national development goals.
Mr Reza highlighted the effectiveness of mandatory sentences in other crimes, such as stock theft, and proposed similar measures for corruption cases. He also noted that many corruption-related assets are hidden, complicating recovery efforts.
The JSC’s establishment of anti-corruption courts was praised as a significant step towards achieving Vision 2030.
However, Mr Reza stressed the urgency of enacting the Witness Protection Act to encourage more individuals to testify in corruption cases.
“The challenges that the commission is facing in the fight against corruption is firstly, the issue of lenient sentences. I’m not saying the judges and magistrates are passing lenient sentences, but they are doing the very best that they can under the circumstances” he said.
“I am saying let us take the example of stock theft. There’s a mandatory minimum sentence of nine years. As Zacc, we believe there ought to be something along those lines, and I’m aware that in other jurisdictions if you are convicted of corruption you may lose your life.”
Mr Reza said while he is not advocating for offenders to be killed, there is a need to do more to deter culprits from being involved in graft cases.
He said the JSC, through establishing anti-corruption courts, has indicated that it takes the issue of eradicating graft very seriously.
“The JSC is the custodian of justice, upholding the rule of law and ensuring accountability. Many strides have been made by the judiciary in establishing the anti-corruption courts and that was a masterstroke,” said Mr Reza.
“That was a statement of fact and shows that the JSC is interested and has the interest of the nation at heart and vision 2030 will be achieved as a result of the establishment, among other things, of the anti-corruption courts.”
Mr Reza said this year, Zacc plans to focus on inter-agency collaboration, capacity building, and anti-corruption awareness campaigns.
He commended the partnership between Zacc, the Zimbabwe Republic Police, and the National Prosecuting Authority, highlighting their shared commitment to eradicating graft and promoting accountability.
Online Reporter