The fight against corruption in Zimbabwe is facing serious challenges. Political interference, a fragile economy, and negative public perception are major obstacles. These issues were highlighted during a national anti-corruption conference in Harare, organized by Transparency International Zimbabwe (TI-Z).
Isheanesu Chirisa, the board chairperson of TI-Z, pointed out that impunity for politically connected individuals and weak institutional frameworks are key factors hindering anti-corruption efforts. “High-ranking officials and influential individuals implicated in corruption can sometimes escape accountability due to political connections,” Chirisa stated.
The conference, co-hosted by the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) and the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc), attracted several organizations. Attendees included representatives from the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, Women and Law in Southern Africa Zimbabwe (WLSA), and Accountability Lab.
Chirisa expressed concern that the lack of accountability for powerful individuals fosters public apathy. “This creates a culture of resignation among the public, who may feel that corruption is a way of life and that anti-corruption efforts are futile,” he said.
Public demands for the arrest of tenderpreneur Wicknell Chivayo over a controversial Zimbabwe Electoral Commission tender, costing taxpayers US$100 million, remain unmet. Although Chivayo’s partners, Mike Chimombe and Mpofu, were arrested, their charges relate to a different case, the Presidential Goat scheme.
Several politically connected individuals implicated in corruption have either been arrested and released or ignored altogether. The Transparency International Corruption Perception Index recently ranked Zimbabwe among the countries grappling with high levels of corruption.
Chirisa, also the director for WLSA, emphasized that corruption is a significant barrier to Zimbabwe’s socio-economic development. “Corruption remains one of the most significant impediments to Zimbabwe’s socio-economic development,” she noted.
Deputy Prosecutor-General Justin Uladi, speaking on behalf of Prosecutor-General Loyce Matanda-Moyo, affirmed NPAZ’s commitment to tackling corruption. “We have even prosecuted our own. One was sentenced to 10 years in jail,” Uladi revealed. Public prosecutor Pardon Dziva received a 10-year sentence for demanding a US$20,000 bribe from Henrietta Rushwaya, convicted of gold smuggling.
Uladi further disclosed that three prosecutors were arrested in Bulawayo for bribery this year. One was caught demanding a bribe and appeared in court recently. Zacc commissioner Ndakaripa Hungwe underscored the commitment to eradicating corruption in both the public and private sectors. “Our records indicate shocking levels of corruption in the public sector,” she stated. Hungwe called for the fast-tracking of the Whistleblower Bill to encourage reporting of corrupt activities.
Zacc legal manager Spiwe Chafunga-Moyo emphasized the importance of protecting whistleblowers. “The commission’s work would be easier and more successful if people knew they had protection,” she said. Lawmaker Tsitsi Zhou, deputy chair of the African Parliamentarians Network on Corruption Zimbabwe chapter, supported the Whistleblowers Protection Bill, noting its potential to combat corruption.
Nqobani Tshabangu from TI-Z raised concerns about the victimization of whistleblowers. “We are concerned people are victimized by being transferred by their employers for exposing corruption,” Tshabangu stated.
The conference concluded with a renewed call for stronger institutional frameworks, better protection for whistleblowers, and greater accountability for politically connected individuals. Despite the challenges, there is a collective commitment among the involved organizations to continue fighting corruption and fostering transparency in Zimbabwe.
Source: Newsday
