The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) says it has recovered over US$45 million in the last four years and seized several immovable properties and vehicles in corruption cases.
This was revealed by ZACC deputy chairperson, Commissioner Kuziwa Phineas Murapa at a recent meeting with journalists in Bulawayo, who raised concerns that the media does not cover the ‘positive’ work they do where they have a conviction rate of over 70 percent.
“Many times in international engagements when we tell the story of our fight our peers are amazed about the strides we have made and always wonder why the work goes unreported.
I was in Tanzania in July/August last year and one of our neighbours was talking about how their asset recovery unit had recovered US$500 000 from the perpetrator and it was national news,” he said.
“I stood up and said you are talking about half a million, we have done 45 million and all were amazed why is it then that Zimbabwe does not report I want to ask the same why doesn’t Zimbabwe report because ZACC is not a media house.”
The ZACC deputy chairperson said they expected the media to report on their successes as much as they reported on their flaws.
“We expect that you’re going to report on our successes. We have many successes. The Mary Mubaiwa case is one high-profile success case. We have a conviction rate of over 70 percent in our cases, which means two-thirds of the cases we take to court bring out a conviction. This means we are doing very well as compared to our regional partners,” Murapa claimed.
ZACC legal manager Spiwe Chafungamoyo said in the past four years, statistics from the assets and forfeiture units were as follows:
“In 2020, the commission seized nine immovable properties including a South African one, 38 vehicles and properties worth over US$100 million.
“In 2021, assets worth US$7 million were seized and the commission filed 18 cases in court which were referred to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
“In 2022, 20 case files worth US$29 million filed with the High Court 11 orders were received and the commission seized 63 trucks, 28 trailers and seven properties and several vehicles.
“In 2023, 39 case files were filed with NPA worth $136 million investigations of high level corruption cases involving high profile members of society with a 71 percent conviction rate for those referred for criminal prosecution.”
In ZACC’s 2022 annual report, the commission reported that it had conducted several seizures, completed and referred 20 case files for both Unexplained Wealth Orders and Civil Forfeiture to the NPA valued at US$29 million.
From the case files referred to the High Court in 2022, a total of eleven orders were received and summarised as follows: two Freezing orders, five Unexplained Wealth Orders, three Seizure orders and one Civil Forfeiture Order respectively.
Of note were seizure orders for 63 heavy duty trucks with 23 trailers, seven properties and several vehicles including a Lamborghini which belongs to former Gokwe-Nembudziya legislator Justice Mayor Wadyajena.
According to media reports, the High Court has since ordered the release of Wadyajena’s property.
ZACC also conducted five cases involving extra territorial investigations with some resulting in freezing and seizure orders being granted against properties under investigations in South Africa.
Meanwhile, the ZACC deputy chairperson added that the devastating effects of corruption in society are “evidently” depriving the citizens of essential services and opportunities.
“Yet amidst these challenges there is hope. Hope in the power of investigative journalism to shine light on corruption to uncover the truth and foster integrity among the people,” Murapa.
