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Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) has said it is worried about the growing trend whereby whistleblowers and witnesses to cases of graft are being victimised.

Zacc yesterday said it has received numerous reports where whistleblowers and witnesses are being harassed by their superiors who are accused of corruption.

It said to prevent harassment of whistleblowers and witnesses, officials facing corruption allegations must be suspended from work.

The Second Republic under President Mnangagwa has declared zero tolerance to corruption.

Zacc is exhibiting at the 61st edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZIFT) which is running under the theme: Showcasing the New Normal for Business and Industry: Realities and Opportunities.”

The anti-corruption body is exhibiting under the theme: “Showcasing the New Normal for Business and Industry in the Corruption Fight: Realities and Opportunities which is closely linked to the ZITF theme.”

In an interview at the commission’s stand, Zacc spokesperson Commissioner John Makamure said victimisation of whistleblowers is rampant in local authorities where graft has been unearthed.

“Zacc is seriously concerned with continued victimisation, harassment of our witnesses and whistleblowers. The practice continues despite warnings that Zacc has issued, despite other perpetrators being brought to book. We continue to receive reports of continued victimisation of whistleblowers which are vital to the anti-corruption fight,” said Comm Makamure.

“We are receiving numerous reports. It seriously hampers our anti-corruption efforts in that the whistleblowers and witnesses provide the much-needed information and evidence that we use in our corruption investigations.

It (harassment of witnesses) makes the process of investigation very difficult. That is why some of our investigations are not speedily concluded because some of these witnesses and whistleblowers are afraid to come forward and provide information.”

He said anyone accused of corruption should first clear his or her name before the courts of law before resuming their duties.

“Zacc is calling on the responsible authorities in the public and private sector that officials that are facing corruption charges to be suspended from work so that they do not interfere with witnesses and whistleblowers. That’s the message we are trying to put across,” he said.

“As long as we have those that have matters before the courts, if they continue to go to work and the majority of these are senior public and private officials. If they continue to go to work, they will interfere with witnesses and evidence.

It’s standard practice that someone accused of corruption should be suspended to facilitate investigations. We are not saying they should be fired, but suspended its common practice.”

Comm Makamure said this year the anti-corruption body has finalised at least 100 dockets which have been seconded to the National Prosecution Authority.

“We could have finalised more investigations were it not for this interference by these accused persons. Some are having to be transferred on flimsy grounds. We have so many cases that we have received as a commission that are under investigation but because our witnesses are afraid to come forward, we have experienced delays in these investigations,” said Comm Makamure. — @nqotshili