Corruption: No fish is too big to fry! Corruption manifests itself in different forms among them bribery, fraud, nepotism and extortion regardless of the quantum
Corruption manifests itself in different forms among them bribery, fraud, nepotism and extortion regardless of the quantum

Corruption manifests itself in different forms among them bribery, fraud, nepotism and extortion regardless of the quantum

Llodyd Gumbo Mr Speaker Sir

Mr Speaker Sir, all corrupt officials regardless of their position must be severely punished to prove to the citizens that indeed corruption has no place in Zimbabwe.

At almost every gathering in Zimbabwe, be it a Government meeting, industry, civic society or demonstrations, corruption is the most talked about word and how it continues to rear its ugly head in the country.

Corruption manifests itself in different forms among them bribery, fraud, nepotism and extortion regardless of the quantum.

It can be in the form of a security guard stationed at a bank who asks for $1 to allow one to get into the banking hall after it is closed or an official at a Government parastatal forms a company and uses proxies to supply goods and services at an institution they are in charge of.

A Government official whether senior or junior interfering with law enforcement agents when they arrest suspected criminals or seeking to influence the award of Government tenders to companies or individuals outside the laid down procedure, are other forms of corruption.

Mr Speaker Sir, the country has been fed with reports of corruption in Government, its departments, the private sector and civic society among others, yet there has not been much in terms of action to prove that indeed the vice exists and where action is taken, litigation success is generally minimal.

Indeed detecting and fighting corruption is no easy task particularly in administrations where it is embedded in the system, but all it takes is sincerity on the part of those in leadership to prove to the generality of citizens that indeed the vice is sincerely abhorred instead of indicating right and turning left.

Admittedly, the corruption situation in Zimbabwe could be exaggerated by those with vested interests with the ultimate objective of portraying Government as nurturing the cancer.

Moreso, the grandstanding surrounding alleged corruption in Government and its departments could just be for news headlines but cannot stand in any court of law.

To that end, some officials in the ruling party would rather have corrupt issues exposing officials or functionaries be swept under the carpet or be dealt with discreetly — away from the public eye for fear of denting the revolutionary party’s image ahead of the 2018 harmonised elections.

This is mainly influenced by concerns of playing in the hands of those critical of Government or questioning its sincerity in fighting the vice.

Mr Speaker Sir, history has shown that governments that fight corruption at every level are bound to be darlings of the electorate while those that hesitate to take the vice head-on perish.

The cost of corruption can be too high to bear for the majority of citizens because it can affect their livelihoods or lives.

For instance, demanding a bribe for one to get a birth certificate may deny the majority of citizens their rights or demanding a bribe from suppliers of water chemicals can result in residents succumbing to diseases that otherwise could have been stopped were the chemicals to be supplied without hindrances.

It is therefore important for the ruling party to know that fighting corruption at whatever level can actually help them win elections instead of playing blind eye to the vice as the electorate see the proceeds of corruption and culprits walking free.

If truth be told without fear or favour, it is disheartening to see or hear about Government officials interfering with law enforcement agents who are fighting this vice.

If one is certain that “their boys” are innocent why not allow justice to take its course where they will be acquitted by a competent court of law?

The problem is that once officials start interfering and dictating who should be arrested or not arrested, it paralyses Government arms that are supposed to fight any criminal activity including corruption as they would naturally want to avoid stepping on senior Government officials’ toes.

It sets a wrong precedence, which in future could come back to haunt those officials for criminal abuse of office.

Mr Speaker Sir, this also creates room for some officials in Government parastatals to abuse their positions boasting that they are untouchables.

At the end of the day, this turns the country into a banana republic or a country where some animals are more equal than others.

Government must show its sincerity in fighting corruption through its deeds.

If one is suspected of having committed a crime, let them defend themselves in a competent court of law than a situation where senior Government officials who should lead by example reduce their offices to kindergarten stuff.

These are some of the actions that draw undesirable headlines about Zimbabwe.

President Mugabe has on several occasions condemned corruption and urged law enforcement agents to play their part by bringing criminals to book, so any other action by anyone to the contrary must have no place in Zimbabwe.

The Government position is that it abhors corruption, so that should be the guiding principle for every official regardless of their position.

Fighting corruption must not only be compatible with small fish, it should also fry big fish.

Authorities must endeavour to build a clean, corrupt-free and honest Government that serves the people.

Mr Speaker Sir, all corrupt officials regardless of their position must be severely punished to prove to the citizens that indeed corruption has no place in Zimbabwe.

On the other hand, leaders must be disciplined and observe the laws of the country by not interfering with law enforcements agents when they are carrying out their Constitutional duties.

Leaders should not seek to defeat the course of justice through whatever means.

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