Mutapa mining bosses sign anti-corruption pledge

HARARE - Four chief executive officers from the Mutapa Investment Fund (MIF) mining cluster have signed Integrity Pledges with the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) as part of efforts to strengthen transparency, accountability and corporate governance across the state-owned investment group's operations.

The signing ceremony, held in Harare, involved Patrick Maseva-Shayawabaya, chief executive officer of Mutapa Gold Resources, Innocent Rukweza of Mutapa Energy Resources, Godwin Gambiza of Mutapa Base Metals and Munashe Shava of Mutapa Platinum Group.

The event was witnessed by ZACC Commissioner Advocate Shepherd Manhivi, who said the integrity pledge was intended to promote accountability and lawful conduct within strategic mining entities.

The four companies were created following the unbundling of Kuvimba Mining House into specialised commodity-focused business units under the Mutapa Investment Fund.

Manhivi said the integrity pledges were meant to reinforce Zimbabwe's anti-corruption framework and improve governance within the mining sector.

"We are here to ensure that the wealth of Zimbabwe benefits Zimbabweans. The Mutapa Investment Fund holds assets worth US$16 billion. This integrity pledge is not ceremonial. It is a binding commitment to accountability, asset declaration and lawful conduct," he said.

He added that the mining sector remains vulnerable to corruption risks, making strong governance systems essential.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the four chief executives pledged to support Government's anti-corruption drive and strengthen transparency within their respective operations.

Maseva-Shayawabaya said Mutapa Gold Resources, which oversees Freda Rebecca, Shamva and Jena mines, was committed to ethical business practices.

"As Mutapa Gold Resources, which manages Freda Rebecca, Shamva and Jena mines, we pledge to uphold the highest ethical standards. We will complement Government's efforts to root out corruption by enforcing traceability systems, open procurement and zero tolerance to gold leakages," he said.

Rukweza said transparency would remain central to the management of energy assets.

"We are custodians of the nation's energy future. I pledge to ensure transparent contracting, fair value for lithium and coal assets, and to support the national anti-corruption drive without compromise," he said.

Gambiza said corruption undermines the value derived from strategic mineral resources and pledged ethical leadership across the base metals division.

"Base metals are critical for industrialisation. Corruption distorts value. We commit to ethical leadership and to complement Government's efforts to root out corruption in all forms, be it bribery, favouritism or illicit financial flows," he said.

Shava said integrity and accountability would be prioritised in the management of platinum assets.

"Platinum is a strategic asset. We pledge integrity in our dealings, protection of shareholder value for the people of Zimbabwe, and full cooperation with ZACC in rooting out corruption," he said.

The signing forms part of Mutapa Investment Fund's FIRE strategy, which focuses on fixing, reviving, strengthening and extracting value from state-owned assets.

According to officials, ZACC intends to extend the integrity pledge programme to all 66 entities under the Mutapa Investment Fund.