The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has raised serious concerns over the growing number of questionable organisations posing as anti-corruption watchdogs, warning that these groups are undermining genuine efforts to combat corruption in the country.
In a public statement released this week, ZACC Commissioner John Makamure Paradza named several groups that have come under scrutiny, including Act Now Against Corruption, Coalition Against Corruption Trust, Crime and Corruption Watchdog Trust, The Government and Anti-Corruption Trust, The Global Infrastructure Anti-Corruption Centres Trust, and the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Citizens Taskforce, among others.
Paradza said that while ZACC recognises the importance of multi-stakeholder engagement in the fight against corruption, the activities of these dubious organisations raise red flags. He cautioned that some of the groups are misrepresenting their mandates and exploiting the public under the guise of promoting transparency and accountability.
“While the commission acknowledges that combating corruption is a collective responsibility requiring collaboration among stakeholders, this must be done within the boundaries of the law,” Paradza said. “Civic organisations must be legally registered and should not attempt to usurp the constitutionally mandated role of law enforcement agencies such as ZACC.”
He reiterated that ZACC remains the principal body tasked with fighting corruption in both public and private sectors, as enshrined in Section 255 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 20), 2013 and the Anti-Corruption Commission Act [Chapter 9:22]. The Commission is empowered to investigate and expose corrupt activities, promote transparency, and ensure that institutions are held accountable.
ZACC Raises Alarm Over Bogus Anti-Corruption Organisations Exploiting the Public
ZACC is particularly concerned about how some of these organisations are allegedly defrauding the public by collecting money under false pretenses, claiming to conduct investigations or offer protection from prosecution. According to ZACC, this is not only unlawful but also dangerously misleading.
“These unregistered and unregulated entities damage the credibility of genuine anti-corruption efforts,” said Paradza. “They often operate with no accountability, making bold claims while doing very little to advance the actual fight against corruption.”
To protect citizens, ZACC urged members of the public to be vigilant and to verify the legitimacy of any organisation purporting to represent anti-corruption interests. Paradza stressed that registered civic organisations working in the area of governance and accountability should comply with the Private Voluntary Organisations Amendment Act (No. 1) of 2025, which ensures transparency and accountability in the operations of non-state actors.
“We encourage all well-meaning civic organisations to contribute to anti-corruption efforts through lawful and constructive means. Those that are truly committed to transparency must be open to public scrutiny and must not operate in secrecy or make false representations about their roles,” he added.
ZACC’s warning comes amid growing public discontent over widespread corruption, which civil society groups say is eroding the country’s economy and weakening public institutions. In recent years, Zimbabwe has ranked poorly on global corruption indices, prompting calls for stronger oversight, institutional reform, and citizen involvement in rooting out graft.
Several civil society organisations have highlighted the need for greater collaboration between government agencies and legitimate civic actors to tackle corruption effectively. However, the presence of bogus anti-corruption organisations is seen as a setback that not only confuses the public but also threatens the integrity of the broader anti-corruption campaign.
According to governance experts, the proliferation of fake watchdogs may be driven by opportunism, personal gain, and even political manipulation. There is concern that some of these organisations may be formed to tarnish opponents, solicit bribes, or interfere in high-profile investigations.
ZACC emphasized that it will continue to fulfil its constitutional mandate and is open to working with credible partners in civil society, the media, and the private sector. The Commission has urged citizens to report suspicious organisations and continue supporting efforts to promote accountability at all levels.
“ZACC remains committed to rooting out corruption and strengthening the institutions of governance,” Paradza said. “We call on all Zimbabweans to be vigilant, demand transparency, and reject impostors who exploit noble causes for selfish purposes.”
The warning marks a decisive stance by ZACC to safeguard the country’s anti-corruption framework from being derailed by illegitimate players, while reinforcing its role as the legitimate authority in the fight against corruption.
Source- Newsday
