A CONSTITUTIONAL commission led by Retired Justice Webster Chinamora mandated to handle complaints from the public against acts of misconduct will next year establish offices across the country to enhance its accessibility.
Established in 2024, the Zimbabwe Independent Complaints Commission (ZICC) has commissioners with vast expertise in law, psychology, security and the medical field.
Chinamora said one of the key objectives of the commission was to instil trust and confidence that the constitutional body is Independent to adequately address complainants against members of the security establishment.
Primarily, ZICC has an oversight function over the conduct of members of the police, military, Central Intelligence Organisation(CIO) and prison services.
"The commission serves as an independent mechanism to receive and investigate complaints from the public concerning misconduct by members of the security services,” Chinamora said.
"The commission must become a trusted bridge between the public and the security services, ensuring that every complaint receives fair, prompt and professional attention.
“It (2026 roadmap) envisages full decentralisation through regional and provincial offices, mobile outreach programmes for rural communities, and the implementation of digital case-management systems that allow complainants to track progress online.”
Chinamora said the commission will next year publish its annual report, detailing the nature of complaints it has handled since formation.
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He spoke about the need for financial autonomy for the commission.
"The year (2026) will also see the publication of ZICC’s first comprehensive annual report, setting out complaint statistics, trends, and systemic recommendations to improve professionalism across the security services," he added.
"Like all new constitutional commissions, the ZICC faces budgetary and staffing challenges.
“The establishment of regional offices, recruitment of professional investigators, and investment in modern complaint-management technology all require substantial resources."
He implored the Treasury to avail resources to the body.
“The challenge will be on the central government to fund the commission to fulfil the constitutional obligation,” he said.
"Engagements with the Ministry of Finance and development partners are underway to ensure that the Commission receives predictable and adequate funding, and so far these have been very positive and productive “
He added: "The commission is also strengthening its internal audit and resource-mobilisation systems to guarantee that every dollar spent yields measurable public benefit.
"There is a clear understanding that for ZICC to be truly independent, it must be financially stable.
“The leadership has therefore prioritised financial planning, cost efficiency, and transparent reporting as cornerstones of its management philosophy."
Since its inception, ZICC has been deliberate in benchmarking itself against regional and international models.
Oversight of security services is not unique to Zimbabwe; similar institutions exist in South Africa, Kenya, Ghana and the United Kingdom.
Chinamora noted that his team was borrowing from other countries with similar constitutional bodies.
"The hope is that through partnerships with the African Union, the Southern African Development Community, and global networks of police and security-oversight bodies, the Commission is aligning its procedures with accepted international norms,” he said.
"Our approach is therefore rooted in collaboration with other constitutional commissions, government agencies, and civil-society partners.
"MoUs are being finalised with the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission and other commissions to streamline referrals and joint investigations. Notably the commission recently partook in the signing of Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission led integrity pledges.”
He said the commission has also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Zimbabwe Peace Building Trust (ZPT) led by bishop Charles Masunungure.
“Our relationship with ZPT has been of immense benefit,” he said.
“ZPT facilitated our first trip to an AU meeting on security sector reform/ overnance. Dr Andrew Mataruse went and represented ZICC".
