Finalise corruption cases: President urges judiciary

Harare (New Ziana)- President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Wednesday urged the judiciary to expedite the conclusion of corruption cases that are before the courts to rid the country of the vice.

Several government ministers and senior officials have pending corruption cases before the courts with some cases now over a year old.

This has led the public to accuse President Mnangagwa’s administration of playing the ‘catch and release’ game.

Officially launching the Judiciary Services Commission (JSC) strategic plan 2021- 2025, President Mnangagwa said his administration expects the courts to take a leading role in the country’s fight against corruption.

“My government expects the judiciary as the custodians of the administration of justice, the rule of law and constitutionalism to take a prominent and leading role in that fight against corruption,” he said.

He added: “I urge you to collaborate with other agencies to speedily finalise the cases that are before the courts”.

The President said efficiency of the justice delivery system should be enhanced to avoid delays.

“In addition, the JSC must equally improve the efficiency of its system so that all cases of corruption are brought to the courts without delay,” he said.

President Mnangagwa commended the JSC for setting up anti-corruption measures against all its judiciary officers regardless of rank.

“I commend the JSC for putting in place anti-corruption mechanism within JSC to enhance transparency and hold its members, including judges and magistrates accountable,” he said, adding, “The inculcation of a corruption free society must also permeate across the board, inclusive of political parties, Non Governmental Organisations and community based organisations among others”. Turning to the JSC strategic plan, President Mnangagwa said it dovetails with the government’s ongoing reform agenda with regards to entrenching constitutionalism and the rule of law.

“The judiciary together with other arms of the state must continue to promote peaceful and inclusive communities for sustainable development and the establishment of effective and accountable institutions at every level throughout the country.

“This can only be done through holding officials in both government and the private sector accountable,” he said.

New Ziana