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Zvamaida Murwira-Senior Reporter

At least 12 public entities have set up integrity committees comprising 98 members in compliance with the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission’s directive for institutions to constitute these organs to ensure an internally-driven process to prevent the vice.

The decision to establish integrity committees was approved in September this year by a high level multi-stakeholder National Anti-Corruption Strategy Steering Committee. 

In an interview yesterday, Zacc spokesperson, Commissioner John Makamure said at least 12 entities had constituted the committees and the anti-graft body will work closely with them in a pilot project that the anti-graft body has mooted.

The entities include Printflow (five members) Zimbabwe National Water Authority (11 members), Zupco (eight,) Zimbabwe National Road Administration (eight), Health Services (seven), CMED (12), Telone (10).

Others include Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (five) Zimdef (six), Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (six) ZimPost (10) and Natpharm (10).

The Commission will work closely with these integrity committees to ensure they are functional and effective

“Establishment of integrity committees was approved by the high level multi-stakeholder National Anti-Corruption Strategy Steering Committee. 

“The Commission will work closely with these integrity committees to ensure they are functional and effective. Integrity committees ensure that anti-corruption reforms are internally driven,” said Comm Makamure.

He said they will also reach out to the private sector and Non-Government Organisations as they seek to have a corruption-free society.

“ZACC will also work with the private sector and NGO community to establish similar committees. This initiative is a component of the commission strategy to ramp up prevention of corruption. 

“Related to integrity committees is the roll out of integrity pledges for MPs, public and private sector senior officials. The roll out to be accelerated in 2022 accompanied by an extensive anti-corruption awareness campaign. 

“An integrity pledge is a commitment by someone to conduct himself or herself in an honest and ethical manner. The integrity pledges awareness campaign will ensure citizens hold those who would have signed the pledges to account,” he said.

Integrity committees are set up to spearhead the prevention of corruption and promotion of integrity within the institutions’ spheres of control.

They are focussed at spearheading in-house anti-corruption efforts and enhancing good governance by institutionalising the fight against corruption.

The establishment of integrity committees has been identified as one of the most effective ways to facilitate stakeholder participation in the anti-corruption drive.

Zambia, Tanzania and Namibia have successfully introduced integrity committees which are producing positive results in the anti-graft fight.

Zacc has noted that the Auditor-General’s reports annually expose corruption and malpractices in public institutions, hence integrity committees were timely.