Zacc gets new secretary

THE Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) has finally recruited a secretary to fill up the top post, which has gone for over a year without a substantive accounting officer following the departure of Silas Pondo, in early 2020.

In the absence of the head of Zacc secretariat, Charity Mutambi, has been the acting secretary - a high post in government - an equivalent of a permanent secretary.

Responding to inquiries by the Zimbabwe Independent recently, Zacc spokesperson John Makamure confirmed that recruitment has been concluded although he could not be drawn to release the name.

"Secretary for the commission has now been recruited; just putting the finishing touches before official announcement," he said.

However, impeccable sources revealed the new Zacc secretary as Onesimo Musi, whose appointment is due to be announced soon once government processes are complete.

Such high level appointments are usually done through the Office of the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet.

A quick check of Musi's background indicated that he is an accountant by profession with a wealth of experience from the Auditor General's office.

The Auditor-General's Office led by Mildred Chiri has won a good reputation through producing annually reports, which expose rampant malfeasance in use of public funds by ministries and government departments.

Musi will lead a 506 Zacc workforce, according to the new structure, with 120 of new workers expected to be recruited this year.

Recently, the commission recruited 20 investigators - drawn from professional careers such as auditors, lawyers, accountants, computer scientists and forensic investigators. This is meant to find capable hands to deal with complicated corruption cases by highlevel public and private officials.

Previous commissions received sharp criticism over failures to fight corruption but the new antigraft body is trying to show some sting through high profile arrests of cabinet ministers and heads of departments.

Musi will take over from Pondo who stepped down in February 2020 after being at the helm for three years. Pondo was a former police senior assistant commissioner and was officer commanding Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Minerals Section.

As head of the Zacc secretariat, Musi will report to the Justice Loyce Matanda-Moyo-led commission and will lead all departments.

He will be responsible for providing strategic leadership and direction to the commission to enable it to carry out its mandate.

The secretary will the accounting officer - more like a chief executive - who will work as directed by the commission.

A commission was appointed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa after nominations and public scrutiny through Parliament.

Musi has the unenviable task of "monitoring the commission's performance and ensure it is in line with provisions of the commission's strategic plan".

The secretary is also mandated to "superintendent over the management of commission funds as provided for under Section 18 of the Anti Corruption Act Chapter 9:22. Presents budgetary proposals from all key functions of the commission for ratification by the commission and monitor organisation performance. To ensure development and constant improvement of internal controls and operating procedures".