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TI-Z launches interactive SMS platform to report corruption
Transparency
International Zimbabwe (TI-Z)
November 05, 2012
Transparency
International Zimbabwe (TI-Z), the leading organisation in the fight
against corruption successfully launched the Interactive Short Message
Service (SMS) Platform at a function held at the Quill Club in Harare.
Speaking at the launch TI-Z board member Mr Loughty Dube said this
platform will enable Zimbabweans to report corrupt practices such
as bribery, cheating among others, in real time. The SMS Platform
is open to all citizens (inside and outside the country). This Interactive
SMS Platform will compliment other anti-corruption initiatives currently
available in Zimbabwe.
TI-Z came up
with this Interactive SMS Platform to exponentially increase its
people driven approaches by taping onto current technology. This
allows people to send TI-Z real-time information using a mobile
based information platform to reject and report corruption. This
is a mobile and web based platform; which allows victims and witnesses
of corruption to report corruption from a mobile phone to a web
based server. This Interactive SMS platform enables Zimbabweans
to send an SMS to the following number 0775 220 700 for as less
as US$0.09c. This means people from remote such as Tsholotsho, Chipinge,
Dulibadzimu among others, can now report corruption as it happens.
People living outside Zimbabwe are also able to send information
via this platform, all they need is to prefix 263 to the Interactive
SMS number. For example if someone is Canada and they intend to
report corruption to this platform they will be able to SMS to +263
775 220 700. The SMS platform was chosen because common mobile phone
handsets support the SMS functionality.
Once the message
is sent from a mobile phone handset which supports Short Message
Service (SMS) to 0775 220 700, the message will be forwarded to
a server for retrieval by Advocacy and Legal Advice Centre (ALAC)
who will analyze information and take appropriate steps to assist
clients. ALAC is a public service initiative providing free legal
aid services to victims and witnesses of corruption. Senders are
encouraged to include Time, Place & Incident as they send in
their reports. To report corruption on your phone one has to go
to Messages, Create New Message, and Type in your report including
incident, date and place. Send to 0775 220 700. Information sent
is kept confidential and identity of senders will not be revealed.
People are
free to SMS ALAC on any information relating to but not limited
to the following:
- Corruption
(and related offences) people experience and witness in Zimbabwe
daily
- People's
comments pertaining to media reports on corruption perpetrated
by different people in offices of public trust
- Community's
views on corruption (and related offences), and recommendations
to mitigate fraud among other corrupt practices
- Or any corruption
related information!
- Recommendations
on how best Zimbabweans can eliminate this social scourge
It is hoped
that this Interactive SMS Platform will contributed towards eliminating
the social scourge affecting vulnerable people living in the remotest
places of the country. Apart from this Interactive SMS Platform
witnesses and victims of corruption can contact ALAC via the Toll
Free number: 0800 4276, E-mail: alac@transparency.org.zw,
Twitter: @transparencyzim,
Send an anonymous form via the TI-Z
website
Visit the Transparency
International Zimbabwe fact
sheet
Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.
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