Retired Justice Cheda to chair tribunal on ZACC Commissioner Makamure

Harare (New Ziana) -Retired Justice Mafios Cheda was on Monday expected to be sworn in as chair of a three-member Tribunal to enquire into the suitability of Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) commissioner John Makamure to continue holding office following allegations of misconduct made against him.

According to a proclamation, other members of the tribunal include renowned private prosecutor Charles Warara and lawyer Regai Hove while Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs permanent secretary Virginia Mabhiza would be its secretary.

President Mnangagwa said the enquiry would be held for a period of five months from Monday, the day of the swearing in of members of the tribunal.

He said it would investigate allegations including that Makamure failed to disclose his interest as the founder and trustee of the Southern African Parliamentary Support Trust whose objectives are allegedly inconsistent with the functions of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission and government.

“To investigate whether or not Commissioner John Makamure failed to disclose his involvement in political activities which is inconsistent with the duties and functions as Commissioner of Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission;

“To investigate whether or not Commissioner John Makamure directed one Lee Sung to fund his political campaigns in Gokwe in return for his protection, to investigate whether or not Commissioner John Makamure’s conduct can be deemed to be tantamount to gross misconduct,” read part of the proclamation.

The tribunal is expected to compile a report and handed it over to President Mnangagwa within a period of one month after completion of the inquiry.

According to the Zimbabwe Constitution, a member of an independent commission can only be removed from office on the recommendation of a tribunal which would have found him/her guilty of gross misconduct or that that the member concerned is unable to perform the functions of his or her office because of physical or mental incapacity.

A member may also lose their job if they become ineligible for appointment to the commission concerned.

New Ziana