Botswana, ranked 38 out of 180 in the world with 5.4, rules the roost in Africa, followed by South Africa (5.1) which is in position 43 in the world, as the least corrupt African countries.
New Zealand, Denmark and Finland tied with 9.4 as the least corrupt countries, followed by 9.3 for Singapore and Sweden.
The index showed a correlation between a country’s wealth and honesty. Poorer countries have the highest levels of corruption.
At the bottom end of the scale, Somalia and Myanmar tied as most corrupt countries with 1.4 points.
Zimbabwe also scored badly on the Ibrahim Index of African Governance, which ranks all 48 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa against 58 criteria, including levels of corruption, transparency, safety and security, sustainable economic opportunity and human rights.
The country scored a total mark of 52, in the index ranking which is topped by Mauritius (86.2), Seychelles (83.1) and Botswana (73). Cape Verde (72.9) and South Africa (71.1) complete the top five list. Somalia comes out last with a score of 28.1.
Zimbabwe’s Information Minister, Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, who claimed not to have seen the index, said his government was not worried by “neo-colonial foundations” determined to spread misinformation.
“That does not concern us. Other African governments are behind us and supporting this government, which was elected by the people. That is what concerns us, not anything else,” said Ndlovu. – Bayethe Zitha
“Shut up and sit downâ€, Mutambara orders journalist
JOHANNESBURG – The leader of the smaller faction of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) is likely to get more unpopular in Zimbabwe media circles after he insulted a journalist at a press conference here recently.
Professor Arthur Mutambara was said to be too exhausted to address a press conference at his first rally in South Africa. When asked by a journalist to address the press conference, he shouted “shut up and sit down†to a correspondent for the Voice of America’s Studio 7.
The MDC faction leader also took the opportunity to dismiss the move by the NCA secretariat to sever ties with both MDC formations.
“Who is Madhuku that he can cut ties with MDC? He is not even the one who formed the NCA so there is no way he can cut those ties,” said Mutambara.
Dr Lovemore Madhuku commands much respect in media circles for his consistency in the constitutional issue and his liberational credentials.
“Madhuku has fought since 1997 for the new constitution. It is disheartening to see people like Mutambara who don’t have even two years in Zimbabwean politics speaking like that about him,” remarked one journalist.
Post published in: News