Tendai Matunhu

Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has assured the nation that whistle blowers will be protected and that they are in the process of activating toll-free lines.

Speaking to journalists during a press conference at the ZACC head office in Harare today, ZACC chairperson Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo said, “ZACC wishes to reassure the members of the public that whistle blowers will be protected.

“The commission has forwarded to the Attorney General its recommendations for a comprehensive Whistle Blower framework which is in line with the requirements of the provisions of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) and other best practices. ZACC is in the process of activating all its toll free lines which will be manned by dedicated officers,” she said.

She highlighted that ZACC has the mandate to assess systems for both private and public institutions to plug loopholes for corruption and that ZACC wishes that legislation amendments will be made to the Anti-corruption Commission Act to provide sanctions for non-compliance.

She announced that ZACC now has arresting powers and refers all completed investigations for prosecution to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for prosecution.

Justice Matanda-Moyo said ZACC would embark on a strong communication culture and gave out their contact details as ZACC.

“In order for ZACC to achieve its mandate, it requires a strong communication culture. ZACC will therefore embark on a cocktail of communication strategies including always being available to brief the public through the media on the status of our operations,” she said.

Justice Matanda-Moyo said she was available on twitter as @loicematandamoyo, the ZACC official twitter handle is @zacconline and the official facebook page is facebook.com/zacconline