Zimbabwe sharpens axe on corruption

The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) has seized assets valued at more than US$200 million over the past five years as it intensifies efforts to recover wealth acquired through criminal activities.

The recoveries were made during the 2021–2025 strategic period through forfeiture and preservation orders issued under the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act, which empowers the State to trace, freeze and confiscate assets linked to criminal conduct.

The milestone was announced in Harare on Thursday during the unveiling of the NPAZ 2026–2030 Strategic Plan, where Prosecutor-General Justice Loyce Matanda-Moyo declared that asset recovery will no longer be treated as a by-product of prosecutions, but as a central pillar in the fight against corruption and economic crime.

"A core component of the 2026–2030 strategy is the utilisation of the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act to recover stolen wealth," Justice Matanda-Moyo said.

"During the period 2021–2025, the NPAZ managed to recover over US$200 million through forfeiture and preservation orders. The objective for 2026–2030 is to build on this momentum by making asset recovery a primary policy goal rather than an afterthought."

Asset recovery is a legal process through which the State identifies, traces, freezes, confiscates and ultimately forfeits property that constitutes the proceeds of crime or was acquired using criminal proceeds. Such assets include cash, vehicles, houses, businesses and other valuables, even when held by third parties or concealed through complex financial arrangements.

Under the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act, courts may issue preservation orders to prevent suspects from disposing of property during investigations, followed by forfeiture orders that permanently transfer tainted assets to the State. The law also allows for civil forfeiture, enabling confiscation without a criminal conviction where the State proves, on a balance of probabilities, that the property is linked to criminality.

Justice Matanda-Moyo outlined a three-pronged strategy to strengthen asset recovery efforts over the next five years, beginning with intensified financial investigations and enhanced cross-border cooperation to trace illicit transactions and offshore assets.

She stressed the importance of stronger whistleblower protection, calling for the urgent finalisation of the Whistleblower Protection Bill, which she described as a missing link in Zimbabwe's anti-corruption framework.

The proposed law seeks to protect individuals who expose corruption, fraud and serious crimes from retaliation, while encouraging the reporting of complex financial crimes by guaranteeing confidentiality, legal immunity and safety for whistleblowers.

Justice Matanda-Moyo also raised concern over the continued impact of illicit financial flows (IFFs) on the economy, vowing that 2026 would mark a decisive shift towards corporate accountability.

"We must confront a painful reality: Zimbabwe loses approximately US$1.5 billion to US$2 billion per annum through illicit financial flows, according to the African Development Bank and Global Financial Integrity reports," she said.

"These are precious resources that belong to the people — wealth that could be used to build hospitals, schools and a modern economy."

Illicit financial flows involve the illegal movement of money across borders through practices such as tax evasion, trade misinvoicing, smuggling, corruption and money laundering, often facilitated by offshore tax havens.

"These leakages must be stopped," Justice Matanda-Moyo said. "Let the message be clear: tax evaders and money launderers will face the full, unyielding wrath of the law. 2026 will be a year of corporate accountability."

She added that the NPAZ will pursue corruption cases more aggressively, particularly those referred by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) and the Police Anti-Corruption Unit.

"Through our commitment to effective prosecution and robust asset recovery, we will ensure that what was stolen from the nation is returned to the nation," she said.

The NPAZ's Asset Forfeiture Unit, established under Section 27A of the National Prosecuting Authority Act, is responsible for implementing the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act. Its mandate includes identifying, tracing, freezing and confiscating proceeds of serious crimes and terrorist activities, while safeguarding the integrity of Zimbabwe's financial system.