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The inclusive government must prioritize corruption now
Transparency International - Zimbabwe (TI-Z)
October 27, 2010

Zimbabwe is amongst the most corrupt countries in the world. The Transparency International annual Corruption Perception Index (CPI) for 2010, a renowned reference point for investors worldwide, reveals that Zimbabwe is number 134 out the 178 countries studied this year. The CPI launched on 26 October 2010 shows that nearly three quarters of the 178 countries in the index score below five, on a scale from 0 (perceived to be highly corrupt) to 10 (perceived to have low levels of corruption), indicating a serious corruption problem on a global scale. However, Zimbabwe scored an abysmal 2.4 out of ten. To demonstrate the decline, in 1998, Zimbabwe scored 4.1 and was number 42. In the SADC region, Zimbabwe only scores better than Angola and DRC. As of 2010, Zimbabwe is now tied with Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Pakistan, Ukraine and Azerbaijan on the index. Somalia scores the worst at 1.1 while Denmark, Singapore and New Zealand are tied on first place with an impressive 9.3. For Zimbabwe, this is both sobering and embarrassing news coming at a time when the nation is ostensibly pursuing a reconstruction and recovery agenda.

Consequently, TI-Z calls on the Inclusive Government to urgently formulate and implement an effective and broad based anti-corruption strategy that has to be mainstreamed into the economic recovery agenda and programming for all sectors. However, strategies are meaningless without buy-in from leaders. For a start, all senior public officers have to set an immediate ex-ample of declaring their assets on an annual basis.

There will be no sustained economic recovery, serious reconciliation with-out dealing with the massive corruption that the nation has witnessed especially in the last 10 years.

Even on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Zimbabwe will continue to miss them unless corruption is dealt with decisively. Media is awash with reports of cabinet ministers implicated repeatedly in shady housing, land and diamond deals with no follow up or prosecution. The nation is captive to leaders with an enormous monopoly of power, discretion but only minimal accountability. The failure to meaningfully institute measures against corruption will postpone or at best prolong Zimbabwe's return to normalcy.

It is important to note that this continued drop of Zimbabwe on most governance and corruption indicators like CPI is happening under the back-drop of government reluctance to fully domesticate Proto-cols and Conventions the country has signed and ratified like United Nations Convention Against Corruption (ratified 2007), African Union Convention against Corruption (ratified 2006) and SADC Protocol Against Corruption (ratified 2004). Not surprisingly, Zimbabwe has 'very weak' scores on other international indexes like Global Integrity Index at 33/100 on matters of implementation of laws. This is inexcusable as implementation of many key anti-corruption laws is inexpensive. Moreover, it is disingenuous for the government to sign and ratify protocols to give the impression of international and regional solidarity against corruption when there is little on the ground locally to demonstrate this seriousness. Charity begins at home.

As Zimbabwe prepares for elections and a referendum, TI-Z strongly urges the strengthening of the justice delivery sys-tem through among other things, building capacity of the Anti Corruption Commission to investigate and prosecute corruption in high places. In accordance with international best practices, a new independent Commission has to be appointed and it has to report directly to Parliament, be bi-partisan and representative of the diversity of Zimbabwe and recognition of civil society role as well. This is urgent. Witness protection laws should be put in place to incentivise whistle blowing.

Time to erupt over corruption

TI-Z calls on the public to refuse this culture of endemic corruption. Our ALAC department continues to receive and assist victims and witnesses of corruption to experience justice. The fight against corruption will be won with an inspired, informed and activist citizenry. We can stop corruption in our own spheres of influence. Check out TI-Z Facebook page and get up-to-date information on activities that could be taking place in your neighbourhood. It is time to erupt over corruption!

Note: The CPI is a composite index, drawing on 13 different expert and business surveys. Source surveys for the 2010 CPI were conducted between January 2009 and September 2010.For more information on 2010 CPI results and the methodology used, please visit http://www.transparency.org/cpi

Report corruption on alac@transparency.org.zw or text 0773 621 989.

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