The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has seized assets valued at more than US$400,000 as it ramps up efforts to curb corruption nationwide.
Presenting a progress report during a review workshop in Chinhoyi, ZACC officials acknowledged that while the first National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS 1) recorded significant achievements, its overall impact was limited and requires strengthening in the next phase.
NACS 1, which was implemented from July 2020 to July 2024, delivered several milestones including over 6,000 awareness campaigns conducted across the country, advocacy for introducing anti-corruption studies in the national curriculum, establishment of integrity committees in more than 169 institutions, and the creation of specialised anti-corruption courts.
During the same period, assets worth US$409,488 were forfeited to the state, and another US$5,019,490 placed under temporary management. Performance levels across strategic objectives exceeded 50% in most categories with citizen empowerment at 50%, deterrence, detection and enforcement at 60%, whistleblower protection at 60%, and asset recovery and victim compensation at 80%.
Although NACS 1 achieved notable progress, participants at the workshop agreed that the next phase NACS 2 , must focus on more targeted, measurable, and impactful actions. They also proposed broader stakeholder consultations and the creation of a dedicated budget to support implementation.
ZACC Chairperson Michael Reza, represented by General Manager for Prevention of Corruption and Corporate Governance, Clara Chikotyo, reaffirmed the commission’s determination to continue the fight against corruption.
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“The start of this consultative process reflects our shared recognition that corruption is a collective problem. It requires the involvement, commitment, and vigilance of all citizens, institutions, and sectors,” Chikotyo said.
She highlighted that since its launch by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2020, NACS 1 achieved a 61% success rate in corruption prevention and investigation efforts.
“As we move forward, the development of NACS 2 will build on these gains to strengthen transparency, accountability, and integrity in Zimbabwe,” she added.
Chikotyo explained that NACS 2 will be anchored on five key pillars — public engagement, legal reform, institutional reform, enforcement, and priority focus areas. The public engagement pillar will emphasize citizen involvement and promote a culture of integrity. Legal reforms will tighten existing laws and close loopholes, while institutional reforms will enhance governance and accountability mechanisms. The enforcement pillar will focus on effective investigation and prosecution of corruption-related offenses.
She further stressed that the fight against corruption is a shared responsibility.
“We need to move past the belief that anti-corruption efforts belong only to certain institutions. Corruption affects every Zimbabwean, and success depends on collective action,” Chikotyo said.
NACS 2 will succeed the first strategy and align with the upcoming National Development Strategy 2 (NDS 2), which will run until 2030.
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