Harare, Zimbabwe | The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) on Tuesday said it plans to file new charges against five Harare City Council employees after the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) withdrew their charges in a US$9 million streetlights tender case.
The accused—Town Clerk Hosiah Chisango, Supply Chain Manager Never Murerwa, Principal Accountant Denford Zhungu, Engineering Technician Tawanda Mutenhabundo, and Principal Contracts Administrator Artkins Mandaza—had charges dropped, leaving only Principal Buyer Jabulani Mukomazi indicted.
While ZACC acknowledged the NPA’s authority to manage criminal prosecutions, it maintained the accused were criminally liable for alleged fraud in the tender process.
“The Commission maintains that the accused persons are criminally liable for the fraudulent awarding of the tender and should defend their actions in court,” ZACC said in a statement.
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ZACC added that it would prefer new charges against the five individuals as part of its ongoing investigation into the case.
ZACC has previously expressed frustration over the withdrawal of charges against prominent figures involved in multimillion-dollar scandals. The commission has called for enhanced prosecutorial powers to strengthen accountability efforts. However, as of March 2024, ZACC’s leadership indicated that they do not require prosecutorial powers, suggesting a focus on strengthening existing mechanisms and collaboration with the NPA.
The move has reignited concerns over the “catch and release” syndrome, which critics argue undermines the fight against corruption. ZACC has previously called for prosecutorial powers to strengthen accountability efforts.
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