The Zimbabwe Anti Corruption Commission (ZACC) has announced that it recently seized and forfeited 10 mansions and 22 luxury vehicles worth US$8 million. The assets belong to, among others, former Foreign Affairs minister Walter Mzembi, Gender Commission chair Margaret Sangarwe, Russel Mweye — a former staffer at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals — and ex-Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) chief executive officer Frank Chitukutuku.

ZACC spokesperson Commissioner John Makamure said the fight against corruption was now in full swing.

“Asset recovery is proceeding well. We are currently handling 36 cases to do with asset recovery running into more than US$4,5 million,” he said.

ZACC believes forfeiting proceeds of crime is the most effective way of fighting the vice as it makes the commission of offences not worthwhile.

The Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act was amended to permanently enable asset recovery notwithstanding a criminal conviction.

Commissioner Makamure said the Anti-Corruption Commission Lay Bill, which provides for whistleblower protection, was being scrutinised by the Attorney-General’s Office.

Whistleblowers need a legal provision to protect them from abuse by corruption suspects.

“The AG and the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs have been engaged to speed up enactment. In that Bill is a comprehensive section on whistleblower protection,” said the ZACC spokesperson.

The fight against graft, he said, was key in achieving President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030, which is premised onthe creation of a relatively prosperous society where people enjoy high standards of living.

“The greatest achievement is the development of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy through a highly consultative process. The National Anti-Corruption Strategy Steering Committee has diverse representation and held its inaugural meeting two weeks ago. The six sub-committees will hold their inaugural meetings mid-October,” he said.

-State Media