By Admore Mbonda in Kariba
HARARE — The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has boasted a 100% conviction rate in its first quarterly report for 2025, successfully prosecuting all 12 corruption cases that went to trial.
While the headline figure has drawn praise, it has also fueled a heated debate over whether the Commission is doing enough to pursue high-level corruption.
Between January and March, ZACC received 183 corruption complaints, resulting in 82 arrests and 99 dockets handed over to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
Harare emerged as the epicenter, with 158 of the reports originating from the capital—a trend that has prompted questions about whether this reflects a genuine corruption hotspot or heightened public engagement with ZACC’s campaigns.
Of the total complaints, 138 were cleared for investigation, with 106 cases fully probed. Fraud made up the lion’s share (45 cases), followed by 21 instances of criminal abuse of office. The Commission’s unblemished conviction rate, with no acquittals recorded, has been touted by some as a milestone.
Yet critics remain unconvinced.
“The numbers may be neat, but they don’t tell the whole story. ZACC is netting the small fish while the big sharks still roam free,” said a Harare-based governance analyst, speaking on condition of anonymity.
This critique mirrors growing concerns within civil society and opposition groups, who accuse the Commission of turning a blind eye to politically connected elites.
Allegations have intensified that individuals close to the corridors of power enjoy de facto immunity from prosecution. Some observers accuse President Emmerson Mnangagwa of enabling a climate of impunity, where state-linked corruption escapes scrutiny.
Despite the controversy, ZACC has continued efforts on the preventive front. The Commission conducted 12 anti-corruption training workshops for Integrity Committees and partnered with the Ministry of Youth Empowerment and Development to draft an anti-corruption curriculum for technical colleges.
Still, skepticism lingers. While the statistics suggest progress, critics argue that ZACC’s impact will be judged not by numbers alone, but by its willingness to challenge entrenched power structures.
As public demand for accountability grows, all eyes are on whether the Commission can match conviction rates with the political courage to tackle grand corruption.
About Author
