Following the financial trail is a daunting task, said Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo, Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), at the start of a scoping mission by the Basel Institute’s International Centre for Asset Recovery (ICAR).

But, she continued, although asset recovery is complex and reliant on international cooperation, it is the most effective way to curb corruption.

What legal provisions does Zimbabwe have for recovering assets stolen through corruption? What are the country’s investigative capabilities and procedures? What are the challenges in investigating and prosecuting corruption and money laundering in Zimbabwe – and in recovering the proceeds of those crimes?

These are some of the questions ICAR experts explored during their four-day scoping mission in the Zimbabwean capital of Harare from 9–13 March 2020. The answers will enable them to design a highly effective, Zimbabwe-specific training programme in financial investigations and asset recovery.

Justice Matanda-Moyo emphasised the importance of involving all relevant stakeholders. Everyone, she said, needs to achieve the same level of knowledge. Plus, asset recovery cases almost inevitably involve parallel criminal and financial investigations.

The ICAR delegation therefore met with investigators and prosecutors at both ZACC and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). Most were involved in the prosecution of economic crime, international co-operation and the forfeiture and recovery of stolen assets.

Other representatives were from the Judicial Service Commission, Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), Central Bank, Office of the Attorney General, Zimbabwe Republic Police and Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA).  

Further reading

• Article in Harare-based newspaper The Herald: ZACC in asset recovery workshop.
• Learn more about ICAR training programmes in financial investigations and asset recovery.
• Read Phyllis Atkinson’s quick guide to effective training on financial investigations.