FRIDAY, February 5 2016, the day Zimbabwe launched an anti-corruption campaign, marked a watershed in the country’s history that will have left Zimbabweans feeling an enormous sense of relief for standing up against what is turning out to be the biggest barrier in the nation’s quest for prosperity.
While the launch of the campaign dubbed ‘Against Corruption Together’ can best be described as a historic step in righting a massive wrong, there is no doubt that commitment must be the clarion call in the drive to cleanse the country of this unwanted black tag.
Events in our recent past make the above point all the more compelling.
It was long before Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who oversees the Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry, officially launched the campaign that the unmistakable feeling of resignation and inherent exasperation had filled Zimbabweans who were understandably of the view that Government was not committed to dealing with the scourge.
The timely intervention of VP Mnangagwa, the Judicial Services Commission(JSC) and other arms of the justice department was the stimulant to inspire confidence among the aggrieved populace.
With stakeholders in the justice delivery system unveiling an anti-corruption green card that will be distributed to the public to promote the culture of whistle-blowing, there is renewed hope that efforts to deal with the chronic challenge will be stepped up.
The green card is inscribed ‘0% NO CORRUPTION’ and has contact numbers of eight stakeholders namely, Attorney General’s Office, JSC, Law Society of Zimbabwe, Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, the National Prosecuting Authority, Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services and the Zimbabwe Republic Police.
The driver of the campaign, VP Mnangagwa, spoke of what precipitated the people’s fear:
“This difficulty stems from the numerous complaints that are lodged at my office against your offices (JSC) regarding allegations of corruption,” said VP Mnangagwa.
“Not even a day passes without receiving one or two complaints against members of the legal profession, the bench (particularly at the lower courts), the sheriffs and Messenger of Court.
“Corruption will be hard to beat and could even spread if the legal profession maintains a business-as-usual mindset towards it. Corruption is not just having a character problem or wrong behaviour, but it is both an economic crime and crime against humanity.”
But there is more.
Prior to the launch there had been several cases of corruption that have been reported with little or no action taken.
The following are some of the cases which require urgent action:
Auditor General’s audit report
Auditor-General Mildred Chiri last year released a damning audit report exposing endemic corruption, mismanagement and poor corporate governance in several ministries and state enterprises but up to now little action has been taken to stop the rot.
Chiri’s report shows cases of brazen theft of cash, stripping of assets and dilatory supervision by officials charged with protecting state property which, to all intents and purposes, is criminal.
For instance, she has also unravelled rampant abuse of fuel at the District Development Fund in which more than 6 000 litres were drawn within a month, worth over US$1, 6 million and could not be accounted for.
According to her report on DDF regarding the fuel scam, she noted that fuel amounting to US$2,8 million was procured but only fuel valued at US$829 333 was accounted for, leaving a balance of US$1,6 million.
She also smoked out an US$11 million fraud scam at the Zimbabwe National Road Authority (ZINARA) where senior management paid themselves hefty monthly allowances, including US$9 000 holiday allowance per individual outside the payroll, prejudicing the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) of revenue in tax.
Chiri’s audit report exposes ZINARA as being among seven state entities that had adverse reports in her 2014 publication released on June 24 2015.
The same report fingers the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC) which paid US$3,1 million on corporate social responsibility with no breakdowns, acknowledgement of receipts from beneficiaries and also gave non-executive directors 2 940 litres of fuel per individual with US$27 450 holiday allowances each without the parent ministry’s approval.
Salarygate
In early 2014 the nation woke up to startling revelations that officials at parastatals and state enterprises were helping themselves to hefty salaries at the expense of the nation.
An estimated US$600 million was reported to have been lost to Salarygate fat cats whose gluttonous plundering and senseless looting left Zimbabweans bewildered.
To add salt to injury, the then Vice-President Joice Mujuru, during a Mashonaland West provincial women’s conference in Chinhoyi on Saturday, February 8 2014, said:
“Nditeererei madzimai … iyi nyaya yatiri kutaura iyi yehuori hwemaparastatals muchenjere kuti ndeimwe nzira yaunzwa nevanhu vari kuda kupwanya nyika ino iyi (Please listen to me ladies, regarding reports about corruption in parastatals – be careful – it’s another tactic being used by those keen to destroy the country).”
Abuse of ZANU PF to loot
The usual ‘tactic’ by criminals is to scare potential targets by using ZANU PF’s name or to hide behind certain powerful figures.
So rampant is this tactic that some of the remaining white farmers have become easy prey to these menacing vultures who extort money under what they call ‘protection fees’.
One such case is that of Beatrice farmer Stoff Hawgood of Tavistock Farm whose story was first published by The Patriot last year.
Last week The Herald published the same story amid revelations that a syndicate masquerading as members of the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) in some instances and as ZANU PF Youth League has been demanding protection fees.
The syndicate is led by one Raymond Sixpence and has allegedly demanded money from Canterbury Farm owner Conal Lucas, Plumstead Farm owner Steven Mumford, Tavistock Farm, Lynne Farm and Innesfree Farm.
We hope the recently launched anti-graft campaign will provide the much-needed remedial action against corruption in the society.
It is everyone’s job.
Let those with ears listen.