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TIZ launches SMS platform to expose corruption
The Zimbabwean
October 31, 2012

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk/news/zimbabwe/61917/tiz-launches-sms-platform-to.html

Zimbabwe is ranked among the worst countries in terms of public sector corruption, a development that calls for increased efforts in fighting the vice.

This was revealed by speakers at the Transparency International Zimbabwe (TIZ) Interactive Information Communication Technology Platform Launch where a platform to expose corruption through a cell phone message (SMS) was established in Harare on Tuesday.

"Zimbabwe is ranked 154 out of 183 countries in the world according to the Corruption Perception Index. It had a score of 2, 2 meaning it's ranked among the most corrupt countries in terms of public sector corruption," said Loughty Dube, TIZ Board Member.

"The media curbs corruption through amplifying people's voices in enhancing transparency and accountability. We are pleased by the effort of the media in covering match-fixing by members of the Zimbabwe warriors Football Team and ZIFA officials in a corruption scandal known as Asigate. Disseminating anti-corruption initiatives through TVs, radios websites and social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook will go a long way in discouraging corruption, Dube added.

TIZ Executive Director Mary-Jane Ncube said her organisation had decided to tap on the current technology through using the mobile based SMS platform because the application is on every cell phone and information would reach a wider cross-section of society from rural to urban areas alike.

"People will report on bribery, cheating and corruption through sending an SMS to 0775220700 at only 9 cents per message. The information will reach the Advocacy and Legal Advice Centre (ALAC) who will pass the information to relevant authorities and recommend appropriate action against offenders. Whistleblowers will be protected," Ncube said.

Philip Chafunga, Organising Secretary for Mavambo Kusile Dawn said for the initiative to succeed, it required the will power from members of the public. He bemoaned the fact that most people had a tendency to corruptly get their way in many spheres of life.

"It is worrisome that most people drive without licences knowing its a legal requirement but they bribe police officers on the roads leading to accidents in most cases. Many parents bribe officials at schools and colleges to enrol their children who would not have the relevant passes only to complain when the children fail in the end. That behaviour must stop. We also need a professional police force and competent courts," Chafunga said.

Willias Madzimure, Chairperson of the African Parliamentarians' Network Against Corruption (APNAC) said ICT and social media are powerful tools to fight corruption. "However we need as government to craft laws that protect whistleblowers on the SMS and social media platforms. It is regrettable that those who criticise corruption usually suffer serious backlashes from perpetrators. A case in point is a motion put in Parliament by Paddington Zhanda to investigate corruption at the Reserve Bank. That motion suffered a still-birth because authorities feared it would expose skeletons in their cupboards," Madzimure said.

MDC-T Organising Secretary, Nelson Chamisa, who is also ICT minister said communication is ubiquitous and praised Zimbabwe for promoting the advancement of ICTs.

"About three years ago we were in the bottom 10 but I am pleased to announce that in Africa we are now second best from Ghana in terms of the ICT Competitiveness index. The SMS platform is a whistle-blowing mechanism that will expose the giver and taker in corruption. It will be one of the ICT dividends to expose crime in society," Chamisa said.

Chamisa also highlighted that there was need to strengthen institutions of government like the Anti-Corruption Commission in fighting the vice. "It is unfortunate that the Anti-Corruption Commission has not claimed any scalp of the big fish in government despite having glaring evidence that corruption has been committed," Chamisa said.

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