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Joseph Madzimure, Senior Reporter

SENIOR officials in the Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, led by Minister Tatenda Mavetera and Deputy Minister Dingumuzi Phuti, yesterday signed the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission integrity pledges.

The Minister was the first to sign under the watchful eye of ZACC chairperson Mr Michael Reza.

Minister Mavetera said in pursuit of Vision 2030, the path to success was paved with integrity.

“Today my ministry has taken a huge step towards the attainment of Vision 2030 by promoting integrity, thereby fighting against corruption.

“We are committing as a ministry to zero tolerance to corruption. We are not only witnessing the signing of the integrity pledge but the launch of the ministerial integrity committee made up of men and women of upright morality,” she said.

“We need to look at the vision and aspirations of the Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa, where he is saying we need to be accountable and transparent. This is what we are doing as a ministry’’.

Minister Mavetera said each and every official under her ministry was supposed to make sure that they comply with what they were signing up to.

“It’s not just about signing, but to execute it. So it is upon us as the Ministers to make sure that it is implemented. We need to be very clear. If anyone engages in corruption, we need to take them to task,” she said.

ZACC chairperson Mr Reza said the sensitisation done with the establishment of the integrity committee and the signing of the integrity pledge were a symbolic gesture of the individual and institutional commitment to eradicating corruption in Zimbabwe through the promotion of integrity.

“As we sign the pledge, we are not only committing ourselves to individual integrity but also to collective accountability. We must acknowledge that our actions have consequences, not only for ourselves but also for our communities and future generations,” said Mr Reza.

As an institution mandated to lead the fight against corruption, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, under the ambit of the national anti-corruption strategy, took a deliberate approach to build strong, transparent, and accountable institutions. Weak institutions were prone to corruption and, therefore, a hindrance to national development.

Mr Reza noted that digital technologies have proven to be disruptive and society was forced to play a catch-up game.

“This age of rapid proliferation of digital technologies demands that we rethink how we can harness digital technologies to enhance our capacities in the fight against corruption.

“In doing this, we require experts in the field of ICT to take a leading role in guiding not only in ZACC but the nation at large,” he said.

ZACC was looking forward to bolstering the fight against corruption through innovation and development of anti-corruption technologies specifically designed to prevent, detect, and combat corruption.

The Ministry, he said, should promote digital literacy by empowering citizens to engage with digital anti-corruption tools, and recognise and report corrupt practices online.