Solani Moyo, a senator for Matabeleland South Province (CCC) has accused the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) of failing to execute its mandate of fighting graft, adding that its officers are equally corrupt.
Moyo launched the scathing attack on the ZACC during the Senate debate last week.
He accused the commission of failing to fight corruption and being led by “organized, corrupt officials” themselves.
Moyo highlighted the lack of justice served despite uncovering corrupt individuals, claiming they are “recycled into positions of power.”
“ZACC is all talk and no action. Its primary function is to combat corruption in the private and public sectors. It makes recommendations to the Government and the private sector about increasing accountability and promoting integrity.
“It found some corrupt individuals, however no justice has been served due to the constant catch and release game where these individuals are recycled into positions of power and key positions.
“Corruption is something we complain about and whose negative impact we recognise, which even the corrupt know is a bad thing and a cancer to Zimbabwe. I say it is in the nature of man to hang the small thief and elect the great ones into office and commissions,” he said.
He criticized the glorification of the corrupt within society, drawing parallels between neglecting one’s own healthcare and education systems while seeking luxury abroad.
Moyo questioned the leadership of the ZACC, suggesting a correlation between completing a full term and avoiding action against corruption.
He emphasized the “organized” nature of corrupt leaders, willing to go to extreme lengths to protect their ill-gotten wealth.
“We live in a country where we praise and celebrate the corrupt. We live in a country where the leaders who preside over the health sector have no faith in the health sector.
“When they and their families are sick, they run away to seek treatment in Germany, France, China, UK and India.
“We have political leaders who have no faith in the education sector, they tell us of free universal primary education, but they can never dare take their children to those schools.
“Some of the leaders in public service will never rest until they have homes in different capitals in the world, which they will never live in, they have cars which they will never drive, beds of gold which they will never sleep in because they have no sleep anyway.
“They buy food which they cannot eat because they have long lost their appetites. These are sad times.
“The ZACC is not fighting corruption. It wants to appear to be fighting corruption. The history of anti-corruption commissions in Africa is the same, the moral rate in office is very short. ZACC continues to be led by corrupt officials.
“It seems in Zimbabwe, if you serve a full term, it is because you have refused to fight corruption. I think we are all aware that the children of darkness who are the leaders of corruption have one advantage over the children of light.
“They are well organised, are prepared to kill and do anything on earth to retain and protect their ill-gotten wealth. Nothing has happened to those found corrupt by the Commission, no one has faced justice for their actions.
Referencing John the Baptist’s fate, Moyo acknowledged the risks of speaking out against corruption and potential consequences.
Moyo emphasised the importance of learning from past mistakes and avoiding “recycling hyenas to take care of the goats,” signifying the need for effective leadership in tackling corruption.
“Allow me to refer you to the Book of Matthew where we read about John the Baptist who was always telling King Herod the truth not to sleep with his brother’s sister to the irritation of the King.
“You should remember there was a dance – there was a lady called Salomi who asked for John the Baptist’s head. The point I am trying to put across is that we are like John the Baptist; telling the Herods of today that they are corrupt.
“We know there are Salomis looking for our heads. We constantly do not learn from the mistakes, therefore we continue to recycle hyenas to take care of the goats.
“We need to ask fundamental questions because in a debate of dwarfs, what is the value of one dwarf saying I am taller than the other dwarfs, you are still a dwarf.
“We need ZACC to live its mission statement and bring justice. We do not enjoy complaining about the ills we have observed. This is an occasion to complain about our irritation. It is all meant for us to warn each other about the dangers of corruption,” Moyo said.
