The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has resumed vetting and clearance of all property ownership transfer applications concerning motor vehicles, houses and land effective November 13 2025.
According to a statement signed by acting ACB director general Gabriel Chembezi, the decision seeks to prevent individuals from hiding and disposing of assets gained through criminal activity.
minimise delays . | Nation
Reads part of the statement: “The ACB assures the public that it will conduct the vetting and clearance processes within four [4] working days of receipt of submissions, to minimise disruption to public service delivery.”
Reacting to the development in a separate interview, civil governance specialist Willy Kambwandira appreciated the necessity of the move, but said it also highlights that the bureau responds to political pressure.
He said: “The ACB is acting more decisively when political winds have shifted. This confirms that the bureau is still struggling with institutional independence.
“While the move signals intent to tighten control over corruption linked to asset transfers, it exposes law enforcement weaknesses and selective application of the law.”
After initially halting the programme on August 6 2021, ACB said the resumption is in accordance with Section 10 (1) of the Corrupt Practices Act.
This part of the Act mandates ACB to examine “the practices and procedures of public bodies and private bodies to facilitate the discovery of corrupt practices and secure the revision of methods of work or procedures which, in the opinion of the bureau, may be prone or conducive to corrupt practices”.
