ZANZIBAR: UNION and Zanzibar governments are strengthening legal and institutional frameworks to promote integrity and intensify the fight against corruption.
The move aims to reinforce accountability, transparency and ethical leadership while strengthening institutions tasked with preventing corruption and economic crimes. Zanzibar’s Second Vice-President, Mr Hemed Suleiman Abdulla, made the remarks on behalf of President Hussein Mwinyi during the African Anti-Corruption Day commemoration held here on Saturday.
He said the two governments have taken significant steps to combat corruption and economic sabotage, including establishing Public Leaders’ Ethics Commissions, dedicated anti-corruption institutions and strengthening key laws such as the Public Leadership Code of Ethics Act (Cap 338) for Mainland Tanzania and the Zanzibar Public Leadership Ethics Act No. 4 of 2015.
Mr Hemed said anti-corruption efforts have also been reinforced through the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Act No 11 of 2007, the Zanzibar Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act No. 5 of 2025, the Public Procurement Act No. 2 of 2025 and the Public Audit Act No. 7 of 2025.
He noted that Tanzania continues to implement regional and international anti-corruption conventions, enabling the Zanzibar Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Authority (ZAECA) to recover more than 5bn/- and 398 US dollars between July 2025 and May 2026 from cases involving embezzlement, tax evasion and abuse of office.
Mr Hemed stressed that the fight against corruption is not the responsibility of ZAECA and the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB/ TAKUKURU) alone, but a shared responsibility requiring integrity, transparency and accountability from citizens, leaders, the private sector and civil society.
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ZAECA Director General Mr Ali Abdalla Ali said achieving the Zanzibar Development Vision requires collective efforts to eliminate corruption and economic crimes and build a transparent and accountable society.
He added that ZAECA is working closely with TAKUKURU to strengthen anti-corruption efforts, improve service delivery and enhance public confidence. TAKUKURU Director General Mr Crispian Chalamila said corruption and economic crimes remain major obstacles to social and economic development, calling for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to address the challenge.
Meanwhile, African Union Advisory Board Against Corruption Vice-Chairperson, Ms Ivona Mutepuki Achibia called for intensified public education campaigns, particularly at the grassroots level, to raise awareness about the dangers of giving and receiving bribes.
She urged leaders to use the commemoration as a turning point to strengthen anti-corruption strategies, demonstrate commitment and take decisive action to eradicate corruption in Zanzibar, Tanzania and across Africa.