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Stop using corruption as a political tool
Transparency International - Zimbabwe (TI-Z)
February 11, 2010

On numerous occasions Transparency International Zimbabwe has publicly warned against the politicization of corruption and the fight against it. A national strategy to deal effectively with the scourge of corruption cannot be founded on the desire to witch-hunt, denigrate or destroy political opponents. This however continues to be the only strategy associated with a section of the state that unfortunately controls both the public print and electronic media. There are two challenges with this approach. One it does not demonstrate political will and commitment to deal with corruption by all the three principalities. The second is that it displays a form of amnesia on the part of those doing it. As part of a unity government, denigrating one faction does not foster confidence on the aspirations of the whole, hence lack of confidence on the part of prospective international investors. ZANU PF and those in their patronage represented in all parts of our governance, from Ministers of state to public officials and private players still have not conceded power to this coalition government. They continue to behave as though we were still living in the era of one party rule of ZANU PF with absolute control over everything.

Given this attitude to governance it is not surprising that ZBH and other state owned print media such as The Herald continue to mudsling MDC T with accusations of corruption and other evils. There is no doubt that there are elements of corruption in both MDCs but there is also equally damning allegations of corruption orchestrated and perpetrated by members of ZANU PF or those in their patronage, which is allegedly at a higher level and more costly given their overall access to state resources, protection from the law enforcement and other opportunities that come with privileges of high political office and public service. It is therefore counterproductive to go on a broad attack against MDC counsellors and MPs, persecuting them for corruption that is on both sides of the divide if not worse on the ZANU PF side because of more opportunity and greater access to manipulate policy, legislation and move state assets at will for personal gain.

The objective of any country to combat corruption should not be founded on mudslinging or witch-hunting enemies but from a genuine commitment to eliminate the scourge with an understanding that corruption is both potentially a criminal and civil offence that violates freedoms, undermines our development, leads to political and economic instability and exacerbates poverty. Across the political divide there must be political commitment to fight corruption because it is in the public interest and public good to do so. Political leaders and public officials should not feign interest in eradicating corruption merely because it serves as a weapon to wield against enemies and has the potential to swing supporters and votes their way.

The so-called feature on corruption by ZBH on the main news of 8 February 2010 was nothing short of propaganda and a disgrace. Besides maligning MDC T counsellors and council officials it offered no real analysis of the problem that would offer insights to possible lasting solutions. If the intention was to divest urban voters from MDC T it may have succeeded, but it offered nothing by way of analysis of the drivers of council related corruption which we all agree must be checked. This may also point to the level and quality of journalism within the broadcaster because by common understanding a journalistic feature story must be one based on research of facts with analytical content and depth. It must also give those forming the subject of discussion a chance to respond.

The evidence from victims and witnesses of corruption interacting with TI Z, as well as the media, points to the fact that corruption is pervasive and prevalent across all the known political parties in Zimbabwe including the newly formed PF ZAPU and Mavambo - Kusile - Dawn. In the current Zimbabwean environment corruption is equally prevalent and devastating in the private and business sector (formal and informal), and NGO and civil society sector. It serves little purpose to apportion blame in a country riddled with corruption from all sides to the extent that it makes no sense to make distinctions between petty corruption and grand corruption. Suffice it to say that the only 'grand' worth making reference to is the extent of the ramifications and impact of ongoing corruption especially at the public sector and political level. This is the most devastating because of the magnitude of resources procured and managed in the public interest by public officials and the pledges made by politicians to meet legitimate expectations of the electorate.

In light of our recent past the GNU is obligated to set in motion standards that lay the foundation for a long term and holistic approach to combating corruption. A holistic approach demands that they be a multiplicity of interventions and players, involving both state and none state actors in the fight against corruption. The strategy must be legal and internationally acceptable, not politically motivated. The approach should include inculcating the values of transparency, accountability and integrity as the bedrock of our public stewardship. If nothing else the government of national unity should achieve at least this common understanding. Whether we recover from this social, political or economic malaise of our own efforts or through the assistance of, SADC, the AU or the international community, the recovery will be fragile and short-lived if serious national crises such as corruption are manipulated and used as political tools to destroy enemies and settle scores of the day.

Let us remember that with corruption everybody pays in one way or the other in the end. Systemic and institutionalised corruption of publicly elected individuals did not rear its ugly head with the advent of MDC councillors and MPs. It has been with us since the once auspicious and now suspicious leadership of ZANU PF. Corruption has only burgeoned, exhibiting more devastating consequences, as well as taken on a more menacing complexion with rising poverty and economic decline, not because of the increased representation of the erstwhile opposition in governance. We need to understand this fact and get our arguments right if we are to succeed in weeding out corruption. How does a doctor properly prescribe for a cure without a proper diagnosis?

TI Z remains non partisan in its advocacy and research and as such strongly warns against the politicization of the fight against corruption and re-iterates that this is self serving for those doing it and counterproductive for the country since it does not address the systemic, legislative and structural causes of corruption. If these are not addressed any political party that assumes sufficient power to control state and public resources will abuse them to their own end. What our national strategy should speak to is how to minimise opportunities for publicly elected officials to be corrupt, how to penalise effectively those that are corrupt in a deterrent way and how to reach out to a new generation of publicly elected officials and public servants that will not be susceptible to corruption and crime. For this to happen it calls for legislative reforms; institutional reforms that deal with structural and systemic corruption, capacity building of our law enforcement agencies and public servants, developing proper reward structures for law enforcement and public servants so that they are less susceptible to corruption; ethics and civic education for our children from an early age, not along partisan lines of propaganda but with a shared value system that is a fair reflection of all Zimbabweans.

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