Prominent prosecutor, Michael Reza has been sworn in as the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) chairperson, replacing Loice Matanda-Moyo who was recently appointed the Prosecutor General for Zimbabwe.
Reza was sworn in by President Emmerson Mnangagwa alongside top Harare lawyer Jessie Majome who was appointed Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) chairperson.
The former chief prosecutor in the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA)has handled several high-profile cases including prosecution of opposition activists, Joana Mamombe, Jacob Mafume, Cecilia Chimbiri, Makomborero Haruzivishe, Evan Mawarire, Job Sikhala, author Tsitsi Dangarembga, journalist Hopewell Chin’ono among others.
The latest high profile case was the case of Tendai Biti who was convicted of verbal assault.
Reza pledged to tame corruption in Zimbabwe adding that he desires to surpass the target already set by ZACC for this year.
“There is a general belief that ZACC is a toothless bulldog but I have been in the system that is not an entirely accurate description of ZACC.
“The issues that I’m going to deal with, which was already a conversation between ZACC and NPA, was on the completeness of dockets and that is going to be my priority area.
“I’m going to ensure that no docket leaves ZACC unless it is complete, unless all the elements of all the crimes have been attended to, then that way, we have a fighting chance in securing a conviction,” he said.
Reza said this will enable the public to trust ZACC unlike before.
“Fortunately I was trained in asset forfeiture and money laundering. I went to South Africa, I went to Botswana and Malawi, taking training in that aspect. That is something that is dear to my heart.
“Criminals must know that crime does not pay,” he said
Majome Speaks
Speaking after the swearing ceremony, Majome also pledged to cultivate the culture of human rights in Zimbabwe.
“I want there to be a connection to remember, that human rights are for each and everyone of us and that the constitution gives a duty on the state to uphold, fulfill and promote human rights,” she said.
Majome sits in the Zimbabwe Media Commission board and also sat in the ZACC board.
She was once a Member of the National Assembly of the Parliament of Zimbabwe for Harare West constituency on an MDC-T ticket elected 1st in 2008 and then in 2013.
At that time, she was the Chairperson of Parliament of Zimbabwe’s Portfolio Committee on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.
Reza holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the University of South Africa and a Master of Laws (LLM) degree from the Midlands State University.
