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Compromised independence of anti-corruption institutions in an independent Zimbabwe
Transparency International-Zimbabwe
April 22, 2013

Transparency International Zimbabwe (TI Z), a local chapter of the international movement leading the fight against corruption, is deeply concerned about high corruption levels in Zimbabwe. It is disheartening that 33 years since attainment of independence the country is ranked among the worst corrupt countries in the world with a score of 20 on a scale of 0 to 100 where 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).

After three decades of independence expectations were that the government would have put solid anti-corruption structures that deter corruption, but this has not been the case.

Corruption is defined as the abuse of entrusted power for private gain. Since independence, the government has failed to effectively tackle corruption. Instead the government has come up with cosmetic means of addressing the social scourge. In the early 1980s the government set up a commission which investigated corruption in the “Willowgate” vehicle scandal. Some of the implicated officials later resigned. This, to some extent, gave the impression that the government would put the issue of corruption to rest. However, since the “Willowgate” investigations, there hasn’t been much impetus in fighting against corruption up until the creation of the Zimbabwe Anti-corruption Commission (ZACC). Even then, ZACC is yet to effectively combat corruption. This institution has not been adequately resourced to effectively curb corruption in the country. ZACC lacks clear powers of arrest as well as resources to fully carry out its mandate. Recently ZACC officers were reportedly being victimized for trying to expose alleged corrupt deals at various government departments and agencies.

As Zimbabweans commemorate political independence there is need for the government to ensure that freedom cascades into achieving a corruption-free Zimbabwe. Corruption is not only a crime against humanity but it exacerbates the suffering of ordinary citizens and most vulnerable people in society. As such corruption has become a cancer. Public officials who are supposed to be custodians of the law and accountable to the people, continue to accumulate wealth at the expense of suffering Zimbabweans. To date nothing has been done to dig deeper into corruption allegations of a number of public officials who have been implicated in alleged corrupt activities.

TI Z strongly calls upon the Executive and law enforcement agencies to fully and effectively enforce anti-corruption laws. Stern action should be taken against perpetrators of corruption. The Executive should lead by example in supporting anti-corruption initiatives so that there is zero tolerance of impunity to those found guilty of corruption. It is unfortunate that as Zimbabweans celebrate independence, there is no independence of law enforcement agencies and institutions such as ZACC to effectively deal with corrupt elements in society. Politicians compromise the fight against corruption by exerting undue influence to the operations of these institutions which should operate independently from any political forces.

Attainment of independence should guarantee independence of public institutions from influence of politicians. The Executive should be reminded that corruption in not only a crime against humanity but an infringement to people’s freedoms.

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