Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization

January 27, 2012

Zanzibar: New Bill Passed to End Corruption

Legislators in Zanzibar passed a bill, on 25 January 2012, which will establish the island’s first independent anti-corruption and economic crimes authority.



Below is an article by Tanzania Daily News:

After many years of preparations, lawmakers in Zanzibar on Wednesday [25 January 2012] finally passed a bill to create the first ever independent anti-corruption and economic crimes authority.

During the debate on the anti-graft bureau, some of the legislators observed that the law is too tough on junior officials and workers at lower levels but it is not tough on senior ranking officials such as ministers.

"This is an opportunity to rid this Island of corruption. But I am worried about the implementation of the said law. Always implementing laws remain a big challenge in Zanzibar," Hamza Hassan Juma (CCM- Kwamtipura) said.

But Ismail Jussa Ladhu (CUF-Mjimkongwe) was among some representatives proposing that the House should be empowered to approve the director general appointed by the president.

Many legislators said that the anti-corruption bureau was good because Zanzibar has been facing corruption scandals, including seeking sexual favour in exchange for jobs in the tourism industry.

Members of the House asked the government to show commitment in implementing the law, as the Zanzibar Attorney General (AG) Mr Othman Masoud, and Minister for Public Service and Good governance Mr Haji Omar Kheri noted that the law sought to minimize corruption at all levels.

According to the bill, the anti-corruption and economic crime authority will run awareness campaigns and the director general will be preparing annual reports with respect to corruption and economic crimes.