Supreme Court Rules ZACC Had “No Case” Against Wadyajena, Cites Unlawful Actions

Zimbabwe’s Anti-Corruption Body Faces Embarrassment as Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Justice Mayor Wadyajena

In a significant legal setback, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has been ordered by the Supreme Court to return all seized assets to former MP Justice Mayor Wadyajena, citing unlawful actions and a lack of evidence.

The court upheld a previous ruling that ZACC illegally detained Wadyajena’s extensive properties, including 25 trucks and luxury vehicles, under unfounded allegations of embezzlement from The Cotton Company of Zimbabwe (COTTCO).

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The case, initially accusing Wadyajena and others of fraud and money laundering in a USD 5 million transaction, collapsed due to the absence of substantiated charges and credible evidence. Despite this, ZACC persisted in withholding the assets, claiming separate investigations unrelated to the original case.

Critics have pointed to political motivations behind ZACC’s actions, especially given Wadyajena’s political influence and his close ties to President E.D Mnangagwa. Revelations from a tribunal in September 2023 further exposed conflicts of interest involving former ZACC commissioner John Makamure, implicating political agendas in the flawed prosecution attempt.

With the appointment of Michael Reza as the new ZACC Chief, there are hopes for improved credibility and effectiveness, aiming to move past previous controversies and restore public trust in the organization’s anti-corruption efforts.

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