ZACC achieves 61% success in corruption fight

The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has recorded notable progress in fulfilling its constitutional mandate, with independent evaluators rating its performance at 61 percent in corruption investigation and prevention.

The figures were revealed by ZACC Commissioner Chido Mwadiwa during a validation workshop for the forthcoming National Anti-Corruption Strategy 2 (NACS 2), which will guide the country's anti-graft efforts from 2026 to 2030. Mwadiwa said stakeholder input is critical in shaping the new framework and pledged that contributions from citizens, civil society, government departments, religious leaders and private institutions will all be considered.

She said the second strategy builds on the achievements of the first National Anti-Corruption Strategy, launched by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2020, which recorded measurable progress in curbing graft over a four-year period. NACS 1 ran from July 2020 to June 2024 and was independently assessed to have achieved just over 61 percent of its goals.

Commissioner Mwadiwa stressed that the new strategy must align with national development priorities outlined in the recently launched National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), while also remaining consistent with regional and global anti-corruption standards. These include the SADC Protocol Against Corruption, the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption and the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.

She added that NACS 2 will also draw from broader development frameworks such as the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (2020-2030), the African Union Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Mwadiwa emphasised that fighting corruption cannot be left solely to Chapter 13 institutions such as ZACC, as success relies on collaboration across all sectors of society. She said the diversity of organisations represented at the workshop demonstrates the importance of collective responsibility, adding that every institution, leader and citizen holds a stake in defeating corruption.

Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Indigenous Interdenominational Council of Churches (Manicaland), Mr Cleopas Saunyama, welcomed the collaborative approach and said inclusive consultations will help generate stronger and more effective solutions. He said the church stands ready to help spread anti-corruption messaging to communities at grassroots level, noting that graft threatens not only economic development but also national morality and social stability.

"We are happy that the Government is involving all stakeholders in coming up with strategies and tactics to reduce corruption in the country. As the church, we are going to take the anti-corruption message right down to our members in the villages," he said. "Corruption is detrimental to the economic, social and spiritual growth of the country. It has to be fought and defeated."