Story by Tafara Chikumira
THE Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) is targeting to forfeit assets worth over US$20 million which were acquired through ill-gotten wealth, with revelations that dockets have already been opened through the National Prosecuting Authority.
The revelations come as Zimbabwe joined the rest of the world in commemorating the United Nations World Anti-corruption Day in Gweru this Saturday.
Various stakeholders took turns to take stock of the gains made in the fight against corruption.
The Deputy chairperson of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, Commissioner Kuziva Kurapa said, “We are happy with the proactive engagement of citizens in the fight against corruption. This year, we have received 707 reports of corruption and made 369 arrests. A total of 230 dockets have been referred to the National Prosecuting Authority. The commission working with the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority also launched an operation on abuse of the Civil Servants Rebate and recovered 252 vehicles.”
“Legislation such as Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act has come in handy as property worth US$5 million has so far been recovered through forfeiture. The courts are currently seized with matters, with a value amounting to US$22 million that could potentially be forfeited to the State.
“Continuous upscaling through training and capacitating investigating officers and prosecution has enhanced the criminal justice system,” Deputy Prosecutor General, Mr Nelson Musonziwa said.
The Second Republic has adopted zero tolerance to corruption as proved by several policies and legislative frameworks meant to deal with the vice.
Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Owen Ncube said, “The President is on record denouncing corruption. We have witnessed the Money Laundering Act being promulgated to deal with ill-gotten wealth. We are currently seized with more legislative frameworks to deal with corruption, which are in various stages of implementation. We want to deal with corruption as it is hampering our progress to reach a middle-income society status way before 2023.”
The event also witnessed some top government officials sign the Integrity Pledge which is meant to show their seriousness in holding their office with dignity through fighting corrupt tendencies.
