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Parliament shortlists 47 candidates for ZAAC

by Staff reporter
2 hrs ago | Views
Parliament has shortlisted 47 candidates from 145 nominations to serve on the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), with public interviews scheduled for December 19 as part of the rigorous selection process mandated by the Constitution.

According to a notice issued yesterday, the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders (CSRO) received 145 nominations, comprising 112 males and 33 females.

"In accordance with Section 237 (1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders (CSRO) invited the public to submit nominations of persons for possible appointment to the Commission.

"The Parliament of Zimbabwe received 145 nominations of 112 males and 33 females. The CSRO duly convened and shortlisted suitable candidates for possible appointment to serve on the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission," reads the notice.

The list of candidates includes prominent figures such as outgoing Bulawayo town clerk Christopher Dube, former Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Deputy Minister Kindness Paradza, former Gokwe-Nembudziya legislator Justice Mayor Wadyajena, and former Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) commissioner Dr. Qhubani Moyo. Other notable names are former MDC-T legislators Anele Ndebele and Tongai Matutu, outgoing ZACC Commissioner Gabriel Chaibva, Bulawayo lawyer Kholwani Ngwenya, and Mrs. Thandiwe Thando Mlobane.

The CSRO invited public nominations earlier this year to fill positions as the tenure of current ZACC commissioners approaches its end. Parliament's top committee, chaired by the Speaker of the National Assembly and including representatives from both Government and opposition parties, is overseeing the selection process.

From the 47 shortlisted candidates, 12 will be recommended to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who will appoint eight commissioners. The chairperson is selected separately by the President following consultations with the CSRO.

The tenure of the current ZACC members, sworn in 2019, is set to expire soon, except for chairperson Michael Reza, who was appointed earlier this year to replace Justice Loice Mutanda-Moyo.

As per Section 255 of the Constitution, ZACC is tasked with investigating and exposing corruption in public and private sectors, combating theft, misappropriation, and abuse of power, promoting honesty, financial discipline, and transparency, receiving public complaints, directing police investigations, and referring cases to the National Prosecuting Authority for prosecution.

To ensure ZACC's effectiveness, commissioners must demonstrate integrity, expertise in crime investigation or prosecution, and general suitability for the role. Specific qualifications include at least one legal practitioner, one public accountant or auditor, and an individual with at least 10 years of crime investigation experience.

The upcoming public interviews will play a crucial role in identifying candidates who align with the values of integrity, transparency, and good governance. These attributes are essential for strengthening ZACC's mandate and ensuring adherence to the principles of accountability across all sectors.

Source - the herald