Anti-graft fight: Deadline set for integrity committees

THE Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has directed at least 26 parastatals and State entities to set up integrity committees by end of November, a development meant to help prevent corruption and promote good corporate governance at institutional level.

The selected entities to participate in the pilot project, according to ZACC, should set up the committees by end of November.

The swearing in ceremony for the committee members is expected early December.

Integrity committees help to prevent corruption and promote integrity within the institutions’ spheres of control.

Parastatals, State enterprises, local authorities, Government departments and ministries will participate in the pilot project.

Following a successful roundtable meeting with chief executive officers of some selected parastatals, Government officials and other stakeholders last week, ZACC chairperson Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo this week called the 26 to action.

According to ZACC, the parasatals should follow the recommended steps in coming up with integrity committees, with the swearing in of the committee members expected by early December.

The selected companies include: Zimbabwe Newspapers, ZimParks, Central Mechanical and Engineering Department, Printflow, Rural Electrification Agency, TelOne, Allied Timbers, National Oil Infrastructure Company, Tobacco Industry Marketing Board, ZESA Holdings, Zimbabwe National Water Authority, Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, Zimbabwe National Road Administration, Zimbabwe Schools Examinations Council, Health Services Board, Zimbabwe United Passenger Company, Environmental Management Agency, Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education, Agricultural Rural Development Authority, National Pharmaceutical Company of Zimbabwe, Agricultural Management Authority, Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe, Grain Marketing Board and the National Social Security Authority.

Commissioner Thandiwe Mlobane who is responsible for compliance and systems review at ZACC said the letters were being delivered to the selected parastatals.

“As I speak, 26 letters have since been written, calling the selected entities to action. Some chief executive officers have received their letters while others are yet to receive,” said Comm Mlobane.

The establishment of integrity committees has been identified as one of the most effective ways to facilitate stakeholder participation in the anti-corruption drive.

Zambia, Tanzania and Namibia have successfully introduced integrity committees which are producing positive

results in the anti-graft fight.

Spearheaded by ZACC, the project starts with selected 26 public institutions and more entities will be roped in as time progresses.

Treasury is offering financial support for the programme.

According to ZACC, the number of public institutions participating in the project is expected to rise to 250 by the end of next year.

Speaking at a round-table on the pilot establishment of integrity committees in institutions in Harare last week, ZACC chairperson Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo said the committees sought to curb corruption and malpractices that were rampant in public institutions.

Justice Matanda-Moyo said the Auditor-General’s reports annually expose corruption and malpractices in public institutions, hence integrity committees were timely.

“These reports present a big picture of the state of corruption in the public sector. They disclose lack of proper controls in institutions thus providing conducive environments for public officials to engage in acts of corruption, fraud, theft, money laundering and other offences.

“It is very unfortunate that these reports have not received the serious attention they deserve from the institutions audited.

“Why I say so, is because there are issues that keep recurring every year showing that corruption is systematic. Also reading through various newspapers and social media platforms, tells a story that fraud, theft, tax avoidance, over invoicing, under-pricing, money laundering and corruption are among the greatest unmanaged commercial risks of today,” she said.

Justice Matanda-Moyo said ZACC’s compliance checks have exposed the rot at local authorities countrywide.

“ZACC’s compliance checks have also revealed administrative malpractices in both rural and urban district councils where procedural irregularities in the councils’ affairs have been noted.

“These checks also exposed deeprooted corruption in some councils,” she said.