Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has highlighted corruption as a major obstacle to Zimbabwe’s development, stressing that it undermines the rule of law and weakens public confidence in institutions across both the public and private sectors.
Addressing attendees at the Chartered Governance and Accountancy Institute of Zimbabwe’s annual conference in Victoria Falls on Thursday, Chiwenga called on leaders to maintain high ethical standards and prioritize integrity.
According to NewsDay, he remarked:
“As leaders, we have a duty to create an environment where adherence to sound corporate governance principles is not just encouraged but expected.”
Chiwenga emphasized that corruption is a significant threat to the country’s advancement, distorting markets and eroding public trust in key institutions.
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He also noted that the government has taken steps to fight corruption, including adopting the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC). Chiwenga stated:
“The Zimbabwean government is committed to working with the private sector to build a corruption-free environment through strict enforcement of anti-corruption laws, fostering strong partnerships, raising public awareness, and offering better protection for whistleblowers.”
He further encouraged the private sector to play a vital role in promoting good governance and engaging in anti-corruption efforts to support the country’s future.
UNCAC, introduced in 2003, provides a comprehensive framework for countries to prevent corruption, prosecute various corrupt acts, and enhance international cooperation in fighting corruption.
However, Chiwenga’s call for ethical leadership comes amidst continued allegations of corruption within key state institutions, including the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), where significant funds were reportedly misappropriated ahead of the 2024 harmonized elections.
Earlier, in 2023, the Al Jazeera documentary Gold Mafia exposed senior government officials involved in smuggling Zimbabwean gold.
Additionally, last week, President Emmerson Mnangagwa appointed former judge Webster Nicholas Chinamora to chair the Zimbabwe Independent Complaints Commission (ZICC), despite Chinamora’s resignation in 2023 after facing allegations of misconduct. Critics argue that the commission’s establishment is superficial, given that it is led by someone previously implicated in a corruption scandal.
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