CommuTalk Reporter
GWERU: The National Prosecuting Authority Asset Management Unit has so far forfeited corruptly acquired assets worth close to six million United States dollars, with several other cases pending before the courts, CommuTalk has learnt.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) however says it has since amplified its anti-corruption campaign in a move that has seen several people who corruptly acquired properties losing them out to the state while several other cases are pending before the courts.
Acting Prosecutor General Nelson Mutsonziwa, who addressed delegates during a National Prosecuting Authority Strategic Review Workshop this Monday in Gweru outlined the scope of their work and the successes recorded.
“A number of corruptly acquired assets have been recovered from criminals using both methods of asset forfeiture, some of which are now under the management of the Asset Management Unit and so far corruptly acquired assets worth USD 5.6 million have been forfeited by our courts.
“Pending cases that are before the courts involve corruptly acquired assets worth USD 20 million. In regard to other criminal matters, this year, we have received a total of 79 064 cases of which 44 918 have been completed and the remaining cases are at various stages of prosecution,” Mutsonziwa said.
Mutsonziwa also added that the department is initiating several strategies to improve the country’s justice delivery system.
“It is therefore in the public interest and in the interest of justice that persons facing corruption allegations are brought to trial and efficiently prosecuted with a minimum of delay.
“To that extent, it has been agreed by the National Anti-corruption Strategy Steering Committee that non-complex corruption cases be completed within six months and complex matters within a period of 12 months respectively,” he added.
Meanwhile, regardless of the fact that President Mnangagwa’s government has declared zero tolerance on corruption after establishing specialised bodies such as the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, Police Anti-Corruption Unit and anti-corruption courts, locals say they are yet to witness any major arrest of corrupt big wigs and often accuse him of using a ‘catch and release strategy.
