Zimpapers Logo

Kudzai Chikiwa, Business Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) will soon investigate fast food outlets and retailers suspected to be hoarding cash and failing to bank their daily takings.

The probe would be part of the broader fight against corruption, which has been blamed for frustrating economic progress in the country.

Speaking in Harare yesterday, ZACC commissioner in charge of investigations, Mr Goodson Nguni, said the new dispensation under President Mnangagwa has provided the constitutional body enough resources that include money, vehicles, computers and others to discharge its mandate of weeding out graft.

“The previous Government did not support anti-corruption and it was difficult to carry out investigations but the new dispensation has zero tolerance to corruption. lt has granted us resources and the liberty to investigate corruption cases,” said Mr Nguni.

He said their first targets would be fast food outlets and retail supermarkets which allegedly keep money circulating among company managers instead of banking it so that cash can circulate in the nation.

“We heard customers in some instances go to fast food outlets and, for instance order five boxes of pizza and instead of paying using cash, the cashier tells them that a manager or top official in the shop has a bank card and the customer is made to pay with the card. At the end of the day these food outlets are begging for money from customers. We have such reports and we are investigating the matter,’’ said Mr Nguni.

He said most supermarkets were receiving “millions of dollars” in cash from customers but they allegedly do not deposit it in banks.

“These monies should be deposited in banks so that they circulate among people. However, some people choose to keep the monies and we are investigating that,’’ said Mr Nguni.

He said the commission would also investigate the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) over reports of pensioners’ funds embezzlement. Executives from former Kingdom Bank and Royal Bank were also under investigation over fraud. Mr Nguni said those executives who claim to be in the diaspora for medication would also be investigated. — @tamary98.