State Media

THE Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) says it has sent 50 dockets to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) since January, putting it on track to reach its target of 80 prosecutions by year-end.

Most of the cases that have been sent for prosecution include high-profile arrests over allegations of criminal abuse of office.

In an interview, ZACC spokesperson Commissioner John Makamure said more high-profile arrests were imminent.

“We are not toothless. We are executing our mandate of prevention and combating of corruption. Fifty dockets have already been finalised and submitted to the NPA for prosecution. Our target is 80 by December,” said Mr Makamure.

He said the whistle-blower initiative has contributed immensely in doubling cases reported to ZACC. The recently launched whistleblower mobile application, he said, would further encourage people to report corruption cases to the anti-graft body.

It would also help to “facilitate easier tracking of the progress of corruption cases being processed within the criminal justice system”.

ZACC intends to recruit more staff to speed up the processing of reported cases.

“ZACC is continuously strengthening its capacity to cope with the increase in the volume of cases. More staff is being hired and representations being made for additional resources. The Ministry of Finance (and Economic Development) sits on the National Anti-Corruption Strategy Steering Committee to ensure adequate funding of the anti-corruption fight,” he said.