ZACC appoints new spokesperson

Harare (New Ziana) –The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) on Tuesday appointed commissioner Thandiwe Mlobane as its new spokesperson in place of John Makamure, who is facing an investigation for alleged gross misconduct.

“The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission hereby announces the appointment of Commissioner Thandiwe Mlobane as the Spokesperson with immediate effect,” it said in a brief statement.

Makamure is facing an investigation by a three-member tribunal chaired by retired Justice Mafios Cheda.

The tribunal, which was sworn in by President Emmerson Mnangagwa last month, is investigating 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.

Part of the terms of reference of the tribunal include; “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.”

The tribunal, which will carry out its investigations over a five-month period, is expected to compile a report and hand 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 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