Shamaine Chirimujiri
THE National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has claimed to have cleared 53 high-profile corruption and economic crime cases from the 68 matters it received last year, achieving a 77.94 percent case clearance rate.
The development comes as the country continues strengthening its fight against corruption and financial crimes through specialised prosecutorial units targeting money laundering, organised crime and illicit financial flows.
Speaking at the Transparency International Zimbabwe Summit yesterday, Prosecutor-General Loice Matanda-Moyo said the NPA established its specialised Economic Crimes and Anti-Corruption Unit to deal with increasingly complex corruption and financial crime cases.
“The unit received 68 corruption and economic crimes cases during the year. Of these, 53 high-profile cases were successfully completed, while the remainder progressed through various stages of the judicial process, including matters awaiting judgment, under legal review and at the defence stage. This translated into a commendable 77.94 percent case clearance rate.
“These figures are far more than statistical indicators. Behind every successful prosecuted corruption case lies public money protected, public confidence restored and constitutional accountability reinforced,” she said.
“Without accountability, institutions lose legitimacy. Without confidence, the rule of law itself is weakened. Conversely, when justice institutions consistently uphold professionalism, fairness and independence, they become powerful catalysts for economic growth, investor confidence, societal stability and national cohesion.”
She said the authority had intensified efforts to recover proceeds of crime through its Asset Forfeiture and International Cooperation Unit.
“During 2025 alone, the unit secured preservation and forfeiture orders amounting to US$51.2 million, comprising preservation orders valued at US$18.9 million and forfeiture orders amounting to US$32.3 million,” she said.
“Over the past five years, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe, through its Asset Forfeiture and International Cooperation Unit, has successfully seized assets worth more than US$200 million linked to criminal activity.
“Every illicit asset recovery is a victory for justice. Every dollar recovered is a dollar restored to national development. Most important, every successful asset forfeiture reinforces one simple, but powerful principle that crime never pays.”
Matanda-Moyo said the authority strengthened international cooperation by successfully executing two extradition requests and processing nine mutual legal assistance requests with regional and international partners during 2025.
“The achievements reflected Zimbabwe’s commitment to combating corruption, organised crime and transnational financial offences while strengthening the rule of law.”
Meanwhile, Canada’s Ambassador, Adler Aristilde, noted that Canada had invested nearly US$10 million in anti-corruption projects across five African countries, including Zimbabwe, over the past four years.
“Corruption is not only a governance issue; it is fundamentally a development and human dignity issue with real human consequences.
“That is why Canada is pleased to support the Inclusive Service Delivery in Africa project, a five-year regional initiative implemented by Transparency International in Zimbabwe, Ghana, Rwanda, Madagascar, and the Democratic Republic of Congo,” he said.
“Through funding of approximately 9.5 million Canadian dollars from 2022 to 2026, this initiative seeks to address corruption and inequality in access to health and education services, especially for women, girls, and groups at risk of discrimination.
“Canada remains committed to working alongside Zimbabwe and its partners in support of inclusive governance, gender equality, and accountable institutions.”
Zimbabwe’s anti-corruption drive involves a multi-agency framework including the NPA, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission and the Special Anti-Corruption Unit. While high-profile arrests and asset seizures have surged under recent legislative frameworks, public watchdogs continue to call for faster trial completions and higher overall conviction rates.