Tensions rise at Ministry of Defence as Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission probes corruption

Another source said the ZACC was finding it hard to pin corruption cases on military officers because the army had its own way of dealing with wrongdoing.

“How will they [the ZACC] manoeuvre around the military internal processes [courts martial]? The court system manned by civilians will not be allowed by the army,” said the source.

In addition, the government would not want civilians from the defence ministry to testify in open court, in light of damaging admissions they might make.

“The political regime is not ready for this because some of the deals were done when President Emmerson Mnangagwa was Minister of Defence and Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga was the army commander,” said the source.

Civilians at the ministry feared they could be arrested while the accused in the army would be protected because their arrests could destabilise peace and security.

ZACC spokesperson John Makamure said the charges against Muchakadzi and Madondo were the first to reach court in a defence ministry case.

“We will let justice take its course. If we make any headway in other issues within the ministry, people will certainly be taken to court,” he said.

The office of the Minister of Defence and War Veterans, Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri, said no one would be spared in the drive against corruption.- Sunday Times

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