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The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) is set to launch the National Anti-Corruption Strategy 2 this year as part of its ongoing efforts to combat corruption and enhance transparency in public institutions.
The new strategy follows the implementation of the first National Anti-Corruption Strategy, which was designed to reduce corruption and restore public confidence in government institutions. While some progress was made, concerns remain about the effectiveness of the initial plan, with critics arguing that its implementation fell short of expectations.
Zimbabwe has seen a slight improvement in its corruption perception rankings, as highlighted in the 2024 Corruption Perception Index Report released this week. ZACC’s acting executive secretary, Mrs. Charity Matumbi, acknowledged this progress but pointed out that some of the key variables used in ranking the country did not fully reflect the strides made by the commission, particularly in asset recovery, forfeiture, and money laundering cases.
Despite these efforts, many believe that the first strategy did not go far enough in tackling corruption at all levels. Transparency International Zimbabwe’s executive director, Mr. Tafadzwa Chikumbu, noted that while there have been improvements, more work needs to be done. “This is a result of National Anti-Corruption Strategy 1 launched a few years back, but we still need to see more being done, including public participation in fighting corruption,” he said.
Civic society organizations have also weighed in, calling for broader engagement in the fight against corruption. “All sectors must come on board to ensure a corruption-free society,” said civic society representative Bishop Albert Chikuni.
The first National Anti-Corruption Strategy focused on public sector accountability, streamlining procurement processes, and strengthening whistleblower protection. However, challenges such as weak enforcement mechanisms, lack of political will, and limited public involvement hindered its full implementation.
With the launch of the second strategy, ZACC is expected to address these shortcomings and push for more effective measures to curb corruption. Whether this new approach will bring about significant change remains to be seen, but public confidence in the fight against corruption will depend on tangible results rather than policy announcements.
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