The report come hard on the heels of another by African Barometer that rated Zimbabwe as among the top four most corrupt countries in Africa, together with Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria.
According to the index launched on 5 December 2012, Zimbabwe fared badly and was ranked 163 out of the 176 countries assessed.
Corruption in the country is reportedly rampant in ministries such as home affairs, education, health, mining and agriculture among others.
“Of late, corruption has been rampant in the education sector where favouritism has been used by corrupt responsible authorities, to discriminate against deserving orphans from accessing free education through the Basic Education Assistance Module.
“At the health ministry, the plight of the terminally ill was worsened by health officials, who compromised the important service through theft of crucial drugs such as ARVs meant for free distribution to HIV positive people. The drugs will be sold at the open market by nurses and other health officials, at a price beyond reach of the needy,” revealed the index.
The index indicated that in the mining sector, corruption manifested itself mainly through bribes in the issuing of mining licences and claims.
“This shows that corruption remained a vice which impacted negatively on development and democratisation of the country. The poor and most vulnerable, especially the rural, are primary victims of corruption.”
TI-Z called on government to capacitate the ZACC to enable it carry out its mandate. ZACC has been accused of being toothless for its perceived failure to deal with high level corruption, with some observers arguing that it needs an injection of funds to operate well.
The Zimbabwean recently revealed that ZACC commissioners investigating corruption at the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe failed to carry out their duties after being bribed by the apex bank with allowances.
It also recommended that various legislations such as the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, the Prevention of Corruption Act and International instruments such as the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), that deter abuse of office be enforced.
Politicians, top government officials and those in higher offices were challenged to have the willingness to fight corruption. “There must be political will to fight corruption, especially by those holding highest offices.
“Government must ensure that public spending becomes transparent. Public officials and institutions must also be made accountable.”
The generality of people was called on to play its part in the fight against corruption, by denying bribes and kickbacks. Ordinary citizens were blamed for fuelling corruption through bribing the bureaucrats and office bearers.
“The power to combat corruption lies in the people and the culture they choose to adopt, not in the various pieces of legislation.”
TI-Z called on government to take the scourge of corruption seriously and enact effective anti-corruption legislations.
Post published in: News