'Mugabe erred'

THE government has reversed the re-appointment of commissioners of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) because President Robert Mugabe erred when he extended their term in May, a Cabinet minister said yesterday.

Home Affairs minister Kembo Mohadi told the National Assembly the commissioners had been told to cease purporting to act on behalf of the anti-graft body.

His announcement came amid claims by MPs that the commissioners were still drawing salaries and allowances.

The commissioners allegedly incurred a $500 000 debt in vehicle hire for their own private errands.

"When the new Constitution was ushered in last year, Zacc commissioners were still in office and later their terms expired," Mohadi said.

"It meant that the new Constitution was now the supreme law and in review of the terms of office of Zacc commissioners the new Constitution had to be followed.

"We reappointed the commissioners to do the work, but upon re-examination it was realised that their reappointment was unconstitutional and hence the directive ordering commissioners not to undertake work until finalisation by Parliament which said it will advertise posts for commissioners."

The nine Zacc commissioners, who were nominated by the previous government of national unity (GNU) along partisan lines, were told to resume duties in a memo dated May 29 2014 and signed by the commission's chairperson Denford Chirindo.

According to Chirindo's notice, the commissioners were expected to continue operating "until a new commission has been set up by his Excellency the President".

Zanu PF Buhera South legislator Joseph Chinotimba had set the debate in motion when he claimed that Zacc commissioners were still getting salaries.

"Does the minister know that they are still getting salaries and are still hiring vehicles for private use?

"Last week it was said they incurred a $500 000 debt after hiring vehicles. They are purporting to deal with corruption when they are corrupt themselves," he said.

However, Mohadi said he was not responsible for payment of the Zacc allowances since it was an independent body.

Kuwadzana East MP Nelson Chamisa (MDC-T) asked Mohadi to assure the nation that the decision to suspend Zacc operations was not a ploy to hide corrupt activities involving the executive.

"Considering last time when they were in office, Zacc had problems entering Saviour Kasukuwere's (Environment, Water and Climate minister) premises, can you assure the nation that this is not a ploy by the executive to switch off the lights so that the corruption bacteria can thrive?" he said.

Kambuzuma MP Willias Madzimure (MDC-T) also asked Mohadi to explain why Zacc officials failed to table reports of their activities in Parliament before their term of office expired.

Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga (MDC) asked Mohadi to clarify whether the President's Office had informed the Zacc commissioners that their re-appointment was unconstitutional.

Mbizo MP Settlement Chikwinya (MDC-T) demanded to know which body would deal with corruption cases between now and when a
new anti-graft body has been appointed.

Mohadi said it was difficult to say what would happen in the interim, adding it was now the duty of Parliament's Standing Rules and Orders Committee to invite nominations for new commissioners.

He said Zacc reports would be tabled before Parliament when they were ready from new commissioners.

National Assembly Speaker Jacob Mudenda assured the House that nomination for new commissioners would be conducted soon.