In an effort to bolster public awareness and address growing concerns over impersonation and corruption at border points, three commissioners from the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) recently conducted a high-impact outreach visit to Beitbridge Border Post. This visit was part of a national awareness campaign designed to educate travellers, transport operators, and border stakeholders on ZACC’s official mandate and to clarify its role in the fight against corruption.
The visiting delegation included Commissioner Chido Madiwa, who led the mission, along with Commissioners Kindness Paradza and Obson Matunja. Their presence was spurred by numerous complaints from the public regarding individuals falsely claiming to be ZACC officials and extorting money from motorists on highways under the guise of anti-corruption operations.
Commissioner Madiwa used the opportunity to publicly debunk these fraudulent activities, making it clear that such behaviour had no connection with ZACC’s official operations.
“ZACC does not conduct roadblocks. We do not stop motorists on highways to search them or solicit bribes. Any person or group engaging in such actions is not part of ZACC. Our operations are legally mandated, conducted transparently, and our vehicles are clearly marked,” she explained during the campaign.
The commissioners and accompanying ZACC administrative staff actively engaged travellers, public transport crews, and members of the general public at the Beitbridge Border Post, which is the busiest entry point into Zimbabwe and a crucial link for regional trade. The team handed out educational materials, provided clarifications about the Commission’s mandate, and encouraged citizens to report suspected cases of corruption and impersonation.
ZACC Commissioners Visit Beitbridge to Educate Public, Combat Impersonation and Restore Trust
Commissioner Madiwa noted that the initiative was twofold: to clear confusion surrounding ZACC’s identity and to create a dialogue around integrity at the country’s key entry point.
“We took time to educate the public on what corruption is, how it undermines national development, and how it affects ordinary citizens. We also urged travellers to comply with all legal requirements and to resist the temptation to offer or accept bribes,” she said.
During their interactions, several travellers and border users voiced frustrations about high import duties and inefficiencies in processing systems at the border. A common concern was the lack of a unified, one-stop checkpoint, which many argued contributes to delays and creates opportunities for corruption to thrive within the long and fragmented clearance processes.
In response to such concerns, ZACC pledged to compile the feedback and relay it to the appropriate government departments for policy review and administrative reforms. The Commission reiterated that a corruption-free border system was essential for economic stability and regional integration.
Earlier in the week, ZACC also hosted a stakeholder workshop in Beitbridge that brought together key players from various sectors. Representatives from government agencies stationed at the border, transporters, customs officials, and passenger associations were in attendance. The workshop focused on reinforcing a shared commitment to transparency, with each organization reaffirming its role in promoting ethical practices.
As a symbolic gesture of accountability, several organizations signed declarations of integrity in front of ZACC officials—an act that the Commission said reflects its drive to embed a culture of honesty within public service.
Expanding the campaign’s reach, Commissioner Madiwa also appeared on a local radio station’s phone-in programme, engaging directly with listeners on a wide range of questions about ZACC’s work. Callers expressed both support and skepticism, prompting honest dialogue about what the Commission is doing to rebuild public trust.
ZACC spokesperson Simiso Mlevu confirmed that the outreach campaign was triggered by an alarming rise in reports of corruption and misconduct at Zimbabwe’s border posts, often in the form of bribery and facilitation payments.
“Beitbridge was selected as the starting point because it is Zimbabwe’s busiest border and one of the busiest transit hubs in sub-Saharan Africa,” Mlevu explained. “We will be extending this awareness initiative to other borders in the coming months to ensure our message reaches every corner.”
The awareness campaign is part of ZACC’s wider mission to demystify its operations, clamp down on corruption enablers, and promote ethical conduct within institutions. It also aims to clean up the agency’s public image, which has come under scrutiny over perceived inaction and political interference in past investigations.
With the Beitbridge outreach now concluded, ZACC says it remains committed to strengthening anti-corruption education, fostering cooperation with communities, and ensuring that impostors posing as officials are exposed and prosecuted. The Commission urged citizens to verify the identities of officials they encounter and to use official reporting platforms to flag suspicious conduct.
Source- Bulawayo24
