Harare (New Ziana)-The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) on Tuesday reiterated its call to be granted prosecution powers to enhance its efforts of combating graft and boost public confidence in the fight against the vice.

In an end of year statement, ZACC chairperson Loice Matanda- Moyo expressed concern at the few convictions secured this year against the high number of high profile arrests made.

“The Commission remains concerned with the speed at which the cases are processed through the criminal justice system,” she said.

“We continue to engage the relevant authorities to be granted prosecution powers in order to complement the work of the NPA, without infringing on its constitutional mandate,” she said, adding the four convictions secured this year fell far below expectations.

Matanda-Moyo said the commission had been engaging the National Prosecuting Authority and the Judicial Service Commission to implement necessary reforms to enhance public confidence in the fight against corruption.

“I am pleased to note that we are finding each other in that regard, ” she said.

She expressed gratitude to whistle-blowers who she said provided the commission with “overwhelming” leads in its investigations into corruption.

“Fellow Zimbabweans, I would like to express my gratitude for your continued support in exposing cases of corruption. We received an overwhelming number of reports from the public which we followed up with telling results,” she said.

Matanda- Moyo however bemoaned the absence of a whistle-blower protection legislative framework.

“There is significant progress as far as enactment of a robust whistle-blower protection legislative framework is concerned.

“This overdue piece of legislation should offer maximum protection to our valuable witnesses and whistle-blowers. We would like to issue a strong warning to those bent on harassing and victimizing witnesses that the long arm of the law will descend on them without fear or favour,” she said.

She said the Commission surpassed the annual target of 180 dockets submitted to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for prosecution.

ZACC and the NPA have been blaming each other for the chaotic manner in which the war against corruption is being executed which has resulted in the “catch and release” of suspects.

New Ziana