By Gift Mashoko
The recent arrest of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister, Prisca Mupfumira over alleged corruption charges is a clear testimony that the new dispensation means business and the period of empty rhetoric is over.
For a long time Government has been accused by citizens for failing to curb corruption which according to many has exacerbated the economic meltdown strangled by illegally imposed sanctions Zimbabweans blame top government officials for being corrupt and immune to prosecution.
Upon his inauguration and first state of address to the nation in 2017, President Emmerson Mnangagwa drew a line between years of endemic corruption and impunity and serious political will to fight and put corruption to an end. The new dispensation is truly proving to the new broom aimed at complete eradication of the vice.
The new dispensation is making great strides to ensure that corruption is rooted out of the Zimbabwean society.
“Corruption remains the major source of some of the problems we face as a country and its retarding impact on national development cannot be overemphasized. On individual cases of corruption, every case must be investigated and punished in accordance with the dictates of our laws. There should be no sacred cows. My government will have zero tolerance towards corruption and this has already begun” said President Mnangagwa.
To make sure that the fight against corruption sails through President Mnangagwa established a Special Anti-Corruption Unit housed in the Office of the President and Cabinet to improve efficiency in the fight against all forms of graft and to strengthen the effectiveness of national mechanisms for the prevention of corruption.
Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has been given a new lease of life after being reconstituted, strengthened and made functional. Government is leaving no stone unturned. Zimbabweans have for long been suffering because of corrupt individuals and organisations.
Over the years the ZACC has been at the receiving end of insults and derision from the general public, which felt it was doing less than it should to contain corruption. In an attempt to strengthen ZACC the Government gave ZACC officers powers of arrest to enhance its capacity to fight against corruption in Zimbabwe.
ZACC Chairperson, Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo, said shortly after ZACC was given arresting powers and they were excited because the job was getting difficult as they were depending on police officers. It is because of these arresting powers they now have, that they managed to arrest Minister Mupfumira.
The new dispensation has been commended for its commitment to improving transparency, curbing corruption and protection of property rights. In light of that, President Emmerson Mnangagwa appointed seven new commissioners for Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) to intensify Government`s commitment to ensuring that transparency is exercised in all Government departments.
Organisations and individuals have welcomed the new dispensations efforts in the fight against corruption, especially ZACC’s efforts. Recently the Anti-Corruption Trust of Southern Africa (ACT-SA) Chairperson David Jamali welcomed the new ZACC Commissioners urging them to work independently and without fear or favour producing results which they are already exhibiting. This new commission means business.
The ACT-SA also welcomed the move by the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe to give arresting powers to ZACC officials. They said it is a very important step that will help to accelerate the arresting and prosecution of corrupt people occupying positions at all levels in the country.
ZACC Chairperson Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo has vowed to deliver a corrupt free Zimbabwe with the support of everyone. She also warned the public that her Commission will leave no stone unturned in trying to arrest corruption adding that Zimbabwe prisons are open for business to accommodate the culprits. Which is a bold and honest statement which will clear the country of corrupt elements.
The country has expressed hope applauding President Emmerson Mnangagwa for treading on new ground regarding the fight against corruption especially with the arrest of public figures like Minister Mupfumira. More arrests are surely to come, watch the space.
