APOSTOLIC Christian Council of Zimbabwe (ACCZ) president Johannes Ndanga has taken aim at the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc), challenging the body to do its work silently if it wants to remain relevant and effective.
Speaking to the Weekend Post during his visit to the city last weekend, the outspoken cleric said as much as investigations are done privately, so has to be arresting suspects.
“People should be able to engage each other privately without making public statements,” Ndanga said.
“Zacc should do its job silently, arrest those who should be arrested quietly, since when have suspects been arrested while making such noise. The noise should be after those accused have been arrested,” Ndanga said.
The remarks by Ndanga follow the wide publicity that has been given to Higher and Tertiary Education minister Jonathan Moyo’s case with Zacc over corruption allegations.
Ndanga feels that while there was nothing wrong with media coverage, it was unprofessional for Zacc to “make all that noise” before their suspect is arrested.
“For instance, look at the police. They don’t announce when they want to arrest a suspect, (police commissioner-general Augustine) Chihuri does not go public to say we want to arrest so and so because if they do that it ceases to be an arrest. So, in case of Zacc, my opinion is what we want are results not publicity because that can only help to make them remain a toothless bulldog,” Ndanga said.
He said while politics might also be at play, Zacc should remain professional in its conduct.
Asked why most senior government officials who have been previously charged with corruption are still walking scot-free, Ndanga said it was the system that has allowed that to happen.
“Corruption is not a one-man problem. It’s a system that was created. Government should not operate as a private company where, for instance, parastatals fund party events.
“That actually opens loopholes for corruption.” —Jeffrey Muvundusi in BULAWAYO
