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President Mugabe congratulates Peace and Reconciliation Commission chairperson Commissioner Cyril Ndebele after a swearing-in ceremony at State House in Harare yesterday. Looking on are Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Misheck Sibanda and Director of State House Dr Innocent Tizora. — (Picture by John Manzongo)

Felex Share Senior Reporter
President Mugabe yesterday swore in members of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZAAC) as he steps up the fight against graft.

This comes as the Office of the President and Cabinet has reclaimed the administration of the anti-graft body from the Ministry of Home Affairs to stop interference in its operations.

The President also swore in members of the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission at a ceremony held at State House in Harare. Also to take oath to become a member of Cabinet was the Minister of State for Liaising in Psychomotor Activities in Education Cde Josiah Hungwe.

Cde Hungwe has not been sitting in Cabinet since his appointment as a Minister in 2013. The new ZACC chairperson is Mr Job Whabira, a former permanent secretary in the ministries of Home Affairs and Defence.

Other members of the commission are: Dr Nanette Silukhuni, Mr Goodson Nguni, Mrs Christine Fundira, Mr Denford Chirindo, Ms Cathy Muchechetere, Ms Farai Mashonganyika and Mr Boyana Ndou.

The appointments were done in terms of Section 254 of the Constitution.

ZACC has been operating without commissioners for close to three years and in most cases whistle blowers were turned away and referred to the police.

Deputy Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Ray Ndhlukula, said the reclaiming of ZAAC by President Mugabe was to ensure there was robust fight against graft.

“During the inclusive Government, there were two co-Ministers of Home Affairs and as a compromise, the agreement was that ZACC be under that Ministry,” he said.

“Now that the Government of National Unity is over and because of the need to put it centrally, it is now under the President’s Office.”

The eight-member National Peace and Reconciliation Commission will be headed by former speaker of Parliament Mr Cyril Ndebele.

Commissioners are Lilian Chigwedere, Patience Chiradza, Choice Ndoro, Charles Masunungure, Geoffrey Chada, Leslie Ncube and Godfrey Chekenyere.

According to the Constitution, the functions of the commission are to ensure post-conflict justice, healing and reconciliation, develop programmes to promote national healing, unity and peaceful conflict resolution.

It is also expected to bring about national reconciliation by encouraging people to tell the truth about the past and facilitating the making of amends and provision of justice.

The two new chairpersons refused to comment saying they were yet to have their inaugural meetings with their respective Ministers.

Cde Hungwe said his elevation meant more responsibilities on his part.

“I am excited and it means more areas of performance. I cut across all sectors. I must mobilise and tell them we are now in a new era of change with respect to education. We should give all the necessary skills to our people.”