Zimbabwe anti-graft body launches new operation to curb corruption

Zimbabwe’s anti-graft body, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has launched a new operation code-named “Wakazvitenga Sei?” (Shona language, means “How did you acquire your property?”)

Those who fail to account for their wealth will forfeit it to the state, ZACC chairperson Loice Matanda-Moyo told the government-controlled Sunday Mail newspaper.

She told the paper that ZACC was empowered by the law to seize assets bought through proceeds of crime.

Even if the suspected corrupt person is acquitted by the courts, the unexplained wealth orders give ZACC and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) power to forfeit the properties.

The law demands that anyone suspected of corruption explain his or her source of wealth, failure of which they will lose it.

Matanda-Moyo said that those under investigation would be expected to produce verifiable and auditable data to support their wealth.

“This is an intensive lifestyle audit on some of the rich people. They have to produce their invoices on what goods or services they rendered and this has to match the value of the acquired properties.

“We will also be checking if these people or their businesses were paying taxes. This means that the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority is also on board as we seek to ensure compliance to all laws,” she said.

Before the wealth is seized, an application will be made through the NPA and those under investigation will be afforded an opportunity at the High Court to account for it.

Failure to do so will automatically result in seizure.

Source: newsghana.com.gh