By Nigel Pfunde
HARARE — Chief executive officers of state-backed mining entities operating under the Mutapa Investment Fund have welcomed a strategic anti-corruption partnership with the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), pledging to overhaul their internal governance policies and maintain total transparency in their roles as stewards of the country’s critical natural resources.
The mining bosses made the commitment during an integrity pledge-signing ceremony held in Harare on Monday, administered by ZACC executive secretary Advocate Shepherd Manhivi. In attendance were Mutapa Gold Resources chief executive Patrick Maseva-Shayawabaya, Mutapa Base Metals chief executive Godwin Gambiza, Mutapa Energy Minerals chief executive Innocent Rukweza, and Mutapa Platinum Group chief executive Munashe Shava. The executives emphasized that because they manage public wealth on behalf of the nation, they owe the general citizenry absolute openness and accountable stewardship over state resources.
Mutapa Gold Resources CEO Patrick Maseva-Shayawabaya highlighted the duty the entities hold toward the public. “It is important to sign these pledges to give assurance to Zimbabweans that the resources of the country that they have entrusted to us are being looked after and the revenue and proceeds arising from them are being accounted for,” he said.
Echoing these sentiments, Mutapa Platinum Group CEO Munashe Shava stated that the drive will fundamentally shape their corporate operations. “The pledges will inform the way we deal with stakeholders. We will be transparent and open to help us fulfil our mandate,” he said.
Mutapa Energy Minerals CEO Innocent Rukweza expressed enthusiasm for the new institutional safeguards, noting that the initiative reinforces existing company objectives. “This development bolsters an area we were already giving high value. We are very excited and look forward to setting up integrity committees. This will help us curb corruption,” he said.
Highlighting the immediate practical impact on major commercial activities, Mutapa Base Metals CEO Godwin Gambiza noted that the collaboration arrives at a pivotal juncture for his division. “It is a welcome opportunity for us as Mutapa Base Metals. We are currently working on a transaction with a big investor. With ZACC coming in, we will strengthen our governance systems and boost integrity,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the anti-graft body, Adv Manhivi commended the corporate leaders for proactively committing to systemic reform within state-owned enterprises. “The CEOs fully committed themselves to this drive to fight corruption in state-owned enterprises. We have agreed to establish integrity committees after signing the pledges, so we are on the right track,” said Manhivi.
