Zacc frets over bogus anti-corruption agencies

Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission

THE Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) has expressed concern over the proliferation of bogus anti-corruption organisations whose legitimacy and motives are questionable.

According to Zacc, the organisations were exploiting the public in the guise of fighting corruption to further their agendas and interests.

Yesterday, Zacc commissioner Kindness Paradza named and shamed 15 organisations that he said were masquerading as anti-corruption agencies.

Recently, two members of the Southern African Regional Anti-Corruption Organisation were arrested on bribery and impersonation charges.

Edmond Nzombe (50), was arrested for allegedly soliciting for bribes from a woman who had reported a corruption case, claiming he would co-ordinate with Zacc officials.

In another incident Loveworthy Nyamungunda was arrested for impersonating a Zacc official and allegedly demanded the release of his vehicle, which had been clamped by Mutare City Council.

Some of the named organisations are Act Now Against Corruption, Coalition Against Corruption Trust, Crime and Corruption Watchdog Trust, The Government and Anti-Corruption Trust, The Global Infrastructure Anti-Corruption Centres Trust and  The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Citizens Taskforce, among others.

“While the commission acknowledges that combating corruption is a collective responsibility requiring collaboration among stakeholders, however, this demands that all stakeholders, including civic organisations, operate within the law,” Paradza said in a statement.

He said organisations misrepresenting their intentions undermined genuine anti-corruption efforts. Civic organisations are encouraged to register under the Private Voluntary Organisations Amendment Act (No 1) of 2025 and refrain from attempting to usurp the mandate of law enforcement agencies such as Zacc, the commissioner said.

Paradza warned the public against falling victim to the bogus anti-corruption organisations.

“Zacc is committed to its constitutional mandate as defined in section 255 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No 20), 2013 and the Anti-Corruption Commission Act [Chapter 9:22], which is to combat corruption in both the public and private sectors, promote transparency and uphold the rule of law,” he said.  The Constitution of Zimbabwe and the Anti-Corruption Commission Act empowers the commission to investigate and expose corruption, ensuring accountability in the public and private sectors.”

Civil society organisations have been raising the alarm over rampant corruption in the country, which they said was bleeding the economy.

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