Dear Editor.
By Sparkleford Masiyambiri| Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa has bemoaned corruption saying Zimbabwe is under a curse.
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZAC) needs the legislative blessing of the Law, and the universal participation of all stakeholders in our communities, in order for it to carry out its mandate more successfully.
This is the only sure way of stamping out the gnawing nuisance of corruption which is threatening to tear our society apart. The worst vice in this country is corruption which is undermining almost every public entity and the entirety of the corporate world.
The most effective way for the anti-corruption commission to prevent this evil is to identify corruption areas and then promulgate policies, procedures and regulations that can seal loop-holes. In this regard, it is important to highlight some areas that are especially vulnerable to corruption, such as, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZMRA), Vehicle Inspection Department (VID), Zimbabwe Republic Police Traffic Section and the Registrar General’s department among others. These certainly should attract the maximum attention of ZAC. In addition ZAC should also cast its eyes on the public procurement unit, hiring, retention and promotion of public officials, management of public finances, and the construction of projects.
In the meantime, the ZAC hands seem to be tied as there is an outstanding legal hurdle, which however has been thumbed up by the new constitution Section 255 subsection 3 which states that, ‘The Government must ensure that, through legislative and other means, that the Zimbabwe Anti-corruption Commission has power to recommend the arrest and secure the prosecution of persons reasonably suspected of corruption, abuse of power and other improper conduct which falls within the Commission’s jurisdiction’
It is anticipated that with the wide and special powers which can be provided for under the prospective re-alignment of the law in line with the constitutional provision, ZAC can be more formidable and powerful enough to curb corruption. The investigative measures to be adopted by ZAC can be more apparent and transparent for the good of the society as offenders can be arrested, tried and sentenced accordingly in the courts of justice.
The expected law can also empower the ordinary citizens by creating a platform upon which they can also furnish the ZAC with relevant information or tips which can enhance them to execute their responsibilities.