By 
By Ross Moyo
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) is investigating major cyber-enabled fraud cases involving the VID licensing system, NetOne airtime, and ZIMRA’s ASYCUDA platform as government accelerates digitalisation to boost transparency.
ZACC Chairperson Michael Reza revealed this on Wednesday while addressing the International Anti-Corruption Research Conference in Bulawayo.
Digital Systems are Under Siege apparently according to the former Top Prosecutor.
“The advent of technology has resulted in the birth of complex cyber-enabled corruption offences,” Mr Reza said.
“Digital systems are being manipulated to bypass due process and siphon public funds.”
Three key cases are under investigation:
1. VID Licences Scam, Reza said there is suspicion that the Vehicle Inspection Department digital system was manipulated to issue driver’s licences to undeserving people without them undergoing tests.
“As things stand, there are hundreds of thousands of people who are driving on our roads, and they are driving on hearsay and instinct. They know nothing about the rules of the road. This is what is happening. So, we are investigating that one,” he said.
2. NetOne Airtime Fraud
In this case, a cashier allegedly diverted US$150 million worth of NetOne airtime from the state-owned telecoms provider.
“The criminal case is pending in the courts, but the parallel process of financial investigations has been completed, resulting in asset forfeiture – movable and immovable,” said Mr Reza.
3. ZIMRA Fictitious ASYCUDA Updates
ZACC is probing a sophisticated scheme dubbed “miracle money” involving the unauthorised crediting of prepayment accounts used by clearing agents. The funds did not correspond to any actual deposits in ZIMRA bank accounts.
“So far, over ZiG55 million and over US$260,000 are implicated,” Reza said.
ZACC has turned to tech to fight tech Crime and to respond, ZACC is strengthening its own digital capacity.
The Commission is setting up a forensic laboratory and currently uses the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) lab. Officers are being trained in forensic accounting, fraud investigation, cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology.
ZACC is also linking its internal electronic case management system to the Justice Service Commission’s Integrated Electronic Case Management System.
The Commission is increasingly using open-source intelligence from Facebook, Instagram and other digital platforms to initiate unexplained wealth order investigations.
As for xhallenges and Government Response
Reza cited skills gaps, low public awareness, and the digital divide as obstacles.
“There is a serious skills gap, which is being mitigated through training. There are low awareness levels among members of the public. Access to the internet and digital technology remains relatively low,” he said.
Officiating at the conference, Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Judith Ncube, represented by Mrs Boetsoarelo Noko, said anti-corruption efforts are anchored in National Development Strategy 2 (NDS 2: 2026-2030), which prioritises science and technology, digital innovation and governance reforms.
She said government launched the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2026-2030 in March to guide responsible AI use in agriculture, health, education, finance and public administration.
Minister Ncube highlighted digitisation initiatives including ZIMConnect, e-Government portals, the Tax and Revenue Management System, TelOne’s Omni Centre, e-gates at immigration, and ZRP’s body-worn cameras, drones and smart traffic systems.
Technology is also seen as a tool, not solution.
“The theme of this conference – ‘Leveraging Disruptive Technologies to Strengthen Anti-Corruption Strategies’ – is both timely and relevant,” she said.
“Data analytics and artificial intelligence can strengthen integrity by detecting fraud and improving accountability. However, these tools assist, but do not replace, investigators, auditors and managers.”
She warned that the same technologies can be abused through false documents, synthetic identities, fabricated invoices, and manipulated audio and video, while digital transactions enable cross-border money laundering.
“Our response must therefore include strong cyber security, reliable identity management, sound records management, and clear rules on access to information. A system is only as trustworthy as the data fed into it and the controls around it,” she said.
Minister Ncube urged Zimbabwe and Africa to build local capability, local datasets and local skills instead of remaining consumers of foreign systems.
“As we embrace technology to aid the fight against corruption, I caution that technology is not the centre of this fight. People are. Our task is to combine the best of technology with the best of public service,” she said.
Running for three days under the theme “Leveraging Disruptive Technologies to Strengthen Anti-Corruption Strategies”, the conference is organised by ZACC, Bindura University of Science Education (BUSE) and the Research Council of Zimbabwe (RCZ).
Delegates are discussing AI, data analytics, digital forensics and other tools to enhance transparency and detect corruption.
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