WHEN Justice Matanda-Moyo was appointed the chairperson of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Z.A.C.C) in May of 2019, many believed the tide was indeed changing in the country’s fight against corruption.
Quickly given the tag ‘new sheriff in town’, the tough talking Matanda- Moyo promised the nation a swift and efficient fight against corruption.
High profile public officials and politicians were sternly warned that they will not be spared in the fight against corruption, theft, misappropriation and abuse of duty in both the public and private sectors.
There will be no sacred cows, Matanda Moyo declared.
Today, Zimbabwe joins the rest of the world in observing International Anti-Corruption Day at a time when the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index of 2018 puts the country at rank 160 out of 180.
In July, ZANU PF Youth league released a list of alleged corrupt individuals urging the government to act swiftly on the corrupt cases.
The list included prominent individuals like businessman Wicknell Chivayo, Neville Mutsvangwa, Reserve Bank governor John Mangudya as well as prominent politicians Priscah Mupfumira, Obert Mpofu and Jorum Gumbo amongst others.
The list was to trigger ZACC into action and soon after the release of the NSSA audit report, former Tourism Minister Prisca Mupfumira was arrested in what is arguably ZACC’s biggest arrest to date.
Another Minister, Joram Gumbo was also arrested but was soon released without spending a single night in custody, both cases are still at the courts of law.
This ‘catch and release’ has become fashionable in ZACC operations.
Former State house director Douglas Tapfuma was also arrested and his case just like that of Mupfumira and Gumbo are still sub judice.
The little action on the Auditors General report have also raised questions on ZACC’s commitment in the fight against corruption.
The report exposed a lot of graft in parastatals and government bodies and to date there has been little action on the Mildred Chiri’s findings, seemingly posing her as a lone figure in the fight.
Mupfumira’s lengthy spell in remand custody left many believing ZACC had finally found its teeth, but her release had many thinking ZACC’s arrests are staged and seeking to fool the masses.
To date, only former Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) finance director Simon Taranhike was convicted on allegations of criminal abuse of office and is currently serving a 15 months jail sentence.
Interestingly, he was ZACC’s first high profile arrest and probably the only high profile conviction.
There is no doubt that corruption is indeed endemic in the country and there is a need to step up the corruption fight, a mandate that lies with Justice Matanda-Moyo.
With the court of public opinion, believing that there are many political and government officials that are freely roaming the streets whilst running corruption cartels, it remains to be seen how ZACC will step up the corruption fight in 2020.
Many have labelled the arrests acts of ‘catch and release’, a case of all froth but no beer!
Tough talking Justice Matanda- Moyo has seems muted, she is not talking no more and while at it, corruption has been rampant.
It seems the fight for corruption is only fought in the media and on podiums but we seem not to be taking the bull by its horns.
It remains to be seen how ZACC will fare in 2020, failure to step up the fight on corruption will surely render ZACC as all hat but no cowboy!