adminDep Min Gutu said this while addressing an Anti-Corruption Committee strategic planning workshop in Harare last week. He said corruption in the justice sector had reached unprecedented levels and efforts to curb it through media campaigns were not bearing fruit.
“There is dire need for quick intervention to restore sanity. Let me hasten to say that this intervention must include addressing the problem of poor remuneration, especially in the public service if at all we are serious about kicking corruption to the curb. This should discourage petty stealing as well as large-scale bribery in the public sector,” he said.
Deputy Minister Gutu said the courts were not in a position to deal effectively with corruption because they are not adequately equipped.
“The judiciary has time and again stated that it is willing to address corruption but willingness alone will not solve the problem. Our courts are generally poorly equipped and trials take a long time making it possible for the police, prosecutors, magistrates and other court officials to manipulate the process,” he said.
The deputy minister said corruption was also rampant at the deeds and companies offices.
“This is exacerbated by bogus estate agents, the manufacturing of fake court orders and fake identity cards. Some shameful individuals have also abused our Legal Aid Directorate which is meant to assist the underprivileged and ensure access to justice for all,” he said.
Deputy Minister Gutu said concerted efforts by the ACC to arrest graft have not yielded much as corruption continues to spread its wings to the private and even civil society. The creation of the ACC was promoted by high levels of corruption in the judiciary sector. This prompted the Ministry to establish a committee to deal with corruption issues. The strategic plan was aimed at helping stimulate co-operative, integrated and enthusiastic approach to tackling the scourge.
Deputy Minister Gutu said the absence of a strategic plan had greatly affected the work of the committee.
“For quite some time the Anti-Corruption Committee has been groping in the dark and going round in circles like a ship without a radar owing to the fact that the committee did not have a strategic plan,” he said.
The committee comprises senior officials from the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs’ 13 departments.
Online Reporter