Zimbabwe’s ZACC Launches Taskforce to Tackle Rampant Council Corruption

Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission Logo (image source)

In a decisive move to confront systemic corruption in local governance, Zimbabwe’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has partnered with the Ministry of Local Government to establish a Special Taskforce aimed at investigating and prosecuting corruption within municipal councils. The announcement, made on August 28 in Harare, signals a renewed effort to restore public trust and accountability in service delivery.

“This is not a public relations exercise. It’s a war against corruption,” declared ZACC Chairperson Michael Reza.

The taskforce will target high-risk areas including tender manipulation, illegal land allocations, and the misappropriation of devolution funds. According to ZACC’s 2024 Annual Report, 14% of all corruption cases investigated last year involved local authorities—making councils the second most corrupt public sector category after parastatals.

Comprising ZACC investigators, forensic auditors, and ministry officials, the taskforce will operate under a mandate to produce quarterly reports to Cabinet and recommend criminal prosecutions.

Longstanding Allegations Against Councils

Residents across Zimbabwe have long accused councils of corruption in housing allocations and infrastructure contracts. In Harare, Bulawayo, and Mutare, civil society groups have documented cases of councillors awarding tenders to shell companies and relatives.

“We’ve seen roads resurfaced three times in one year—each time by a different contractor linked to the same official,” said Harare Residents Trust director Precious Shumba.

The 2023 Auditor General’s Report revealed that over ZWL$1.2 billion in council funds were unaccounted for due to poor record-keeping and unauthorized expenditures.

“Communities have suffered for too long due to corrupt officials diverting resources meant for the people,” said Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe.

Cautious Optimism and Public Pressure

The Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD) welcomed the taskforce but warned that previous anti-corruption drives failed due to political interference and lack of enforcement.

“We need more than arrests—we need convictions,” said ZIMCODD spokesperson Tafadzwa Chikumbu.

The taskforce is expected to begin operations immediately, with priority cases already identified in Chitungwiza, Gweru, and Masvingo. Opposition figures expressed cautious optimism, urging ZACC to avoid selective enforcement. The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) called for transparency in investigations and protection for whistleblowers.

“We don’t want another witch hunt. We want justice,” said CCC spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere.

Transparency and Citizen Involvement

ZACC has pledged to publish anonymized case summaries and establish a public dashboard to track progress. The commission also plans to host town hall meetings to engage residents and gather evidence.

“This is about empowering citizens to hold their councils accountable,” said ZACC Commissioner Thandiwe Moyo.

According to ZIMSTAT, 63% of urban households reported dissatisfaction with council services in 2024, citing erratic water supply, uncollected refuse, and pothole-ridden roads.

“We pay rates, but we get nothing in return. It’s daylight robbery,” said Bulawayo resident Nomusa Moyo.

A Test of Political Will

Analysts warn that the taskforce’s success will depend on its independence, resources, and political will. Some argue it could be a turning point for Zimbabwe’s local governance—if it avoids the pitfalls of past campaigns.

“This is a chance to clean house. But only if the broom isn’t selectively applied,” said governance expert Dr. Lovemore Madhuku.