Cotonou, Benin | 27 July 2025 — Zimbabwe’s former Norton Member of Parliament, Temba Mliswa, has been elected Vice President of the African Parliamentarians’ Network Against Corruption (APNAC), in what is being hailed as a symbolic victory for Zimbabwe and a major step forward in the continent’s fight against corruption.
The announcement was made following APNAC’s Board Meeting held from July 23 to 25 in Cotonou, Benin. The decision to elevate Temba Mliswa to the second-highest office in the continental anti-corruption body was unanimous, with formal confirmation issued in the organisation’s final communique on Sunday night.
Temba Mliswa replaces Mozambique’s Hon. Edouardo Namburete, who stepped down after being appointed to a diplomatic post. The election is being seen as a milestone for Zimbabwe, a country that has long battled perceptions of endemic corruption and has had few of its parliamentarians elevated to such positions of continental influence.
In the official communique released at the close of the three-day session, APNAC stated:
“Honourable Peter Mliswa Temba (Zimbabwe) is elected as the Vice-President of the Board to replace the Honourable Edouardo Namburete (Mozambique), who has been appointed as an ambassador.”
The Board comprises delegates from Benin, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe, who deliberated on a range of issues aimed at revitalising APNAC’s structures and extending its influence across Africa. Among the key resolutions passed were:
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The formation of a Technical Committee to review APNAC’s Constitution,
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A proposal to designate Speakers of Parliament as automatic Chairpersons of National Chapters,
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Strengthening partnerships with global institutions such as the United Nations (UN), Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), and Transparency International,
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The establishment of a new permanent APNAC Secretariat in Ghana in collaboration with the Africa Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA),
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Institutionalising an annual anti-corruption reflection day on July 11 to commemorate African Anti-Corruption Day.
Temba Mliswa Elected Vice President of African Parliamentarians’ Network Against Corruption
Mliswa’s election to the APNAC vice presidency is a notable moment for Zimbabwe, marking one of the few instances where a Zimbabwean parliamentarian has been elevated to a high-profile continental office in recent years. Known for his outspoken nature, independence, and willingness to challenge corruption within his own government,Temba Mliswa ’s appointment is seen as a nod to his consistent advocacy for transparency and accountability.
Speaking to ZimEye shortly after the announcement, Temba Mliswa expressed gratitude and pledged to serve the continent with integrity.
“I am very humbled by this honour. This is not just about me — it is a result of my standing for the people of Zimbabwe, and the work we’ve done together in pushing for accountability. I am very excited about being given this opportunity to serve Africa at a higher level.”
Observers say his election could reinvigorate APNAC’s mission and draw greater attention to the organisation’s goals of empowering parliamentarians to lead the charge against corruption within their own legislatures and governments.
Political analyst Dr. Takudzwa Mungoni described the development as “a vote of confidence not just in Mliswa, but in Zimbabwe’s potential to play a constructive role in reforming governance on the continent.”
APNAC’s next major event will be its Biennial General Meeting, scheduled for November 2025 in Ghana. The gathering is expected to address critical issues such as constitutional reforms, sustainable funding strategies, and regional coordination to combat corruption more effectively.
With Temba Mliswa now part of APNAC’s top leadership, expectations are high that he will bring both passion and practical experience to the role. As a former chairperson of Zimbabwe’s Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Energy, he has been at the forefront of some of the most high-profile corruption investigations in the country’s recent memory — including inquiries into illicit dealings in the mining sector.
The African Parliamentarians’ Network Against Corruption is a pan-African coalition of national parliamentary chapters. It was established to strengthen the role of lawmakers in promoting integrity, transparency, and good governance. By leveraging legislative tools, cross-border cooperation, and regional platforms, APNAC aims to institutionalise anti-corruption efforts across Africa’s political systems.
As the continent continues to wrestle with the corrosive effects of corruption, Temba Mliswa ’s appointment signals renewed urgency and a recognition that the fight must be led not just by governments, but by principled and empowered lawmakers. For Zimbabwe, it is also a rare moment of international validation — and a chance to reassert itself as a meaningful player in Africa’s reform agenda.
Source- ZimEye
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