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Lloyd Gumbo Herald Reporter
GOVERNMENT must walk the talk on corruption by prosecuting those involved if the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation is to be a success, a cross-section of Zimbabweans have said.
In separate interviews yesterday, analysts, the Church and the business community said there was need for the State to push for prosecution of corrupt people including those who have been fleecing Government in quasi-Government institutions, parastatals and State enterprises.
They said Zim-Asset’s success hinged on good corporate governance in the management of public funds which the economic blueprint identifies as the launch pad of economic revival.
This follows reports that top management at the Premier Service Medical Aid Society, Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, Air Zimbabwe, Marange Resources and Harare City Council were fleecing the State of millions of dollars through salaries, allowances and misappropriation of public funds.
Zim-Asset in Chapter 7 that deals with Public Administration, Governance and Performance Management says Government would be re-invented to improve general administration, governance and performance management.
“To this end, all public sector agencies in this category are expected to deal with issues of corruption, modernisation of public sector agencies and performance management among others.”
Immediate past president of the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries, Mr Kumbirai Katsande said there were a lot of gaps in the appointment of people who lead parastatals, with some incompetent people being given the responsibility to run the State entities.
“There is a tendency by these ministers who appoint their friends in which case loyalty becomes more important than delivery.
“There is need for mechanisms to be put in place to unearth corruption as soon as it happens. There must be a quick solution when someone has been found to be corrupt. At the moment they are taking long to act which leaves us with questions of whether the powers that be are serious about the need to curb corruption,” Mr Katsande said.
Association of Sadc Chambers of Commerce president Mr Oswell Binha said corruption was rampant because no action was taken against the culprits.
For that reason, he said, Zim-Asset was likely to fail if Government did not take stern measures against corrupt people.
“Government must walk the talk when it comes to corruption because we see it in both private and public sectors. The problem is we have undermined Government institutions that are supposed to be superintending compliance, performance and related governance issues.
“People in the public sector must clearly define their interests because at the moment no one does lifestyle audit even at ministerial level. If that were to be done, half the Cabinet would fail. We have heard a lot of people saying Government is now serious about curbing corruption but I insist that they haven’t started.
“We are seeing the private sector being used as a conduit to siphon resources from the public sector. The police must just go ahead and do their work. This is not a politicking matter.
“Zim-Asset needs men and women of stature in Government. At the moment a lot of them talk about how they detest corruption but they don’t act,” said Mr Binha.
Midlands State University dean of International Relations Mr Christopher Gwatidzo said Zim-Asset would only succeed if Government plugged corruption in the public sector.
“We have already made a commitment as a nation through a policy position that is Zim-Asset. In this case an identified area that might take us back is corruption. What we need is a swift Government response that targets all State parastatals and enterprises so that Government makes a strong statement not only in condemning corruption but in taking action.
“We should send that signal that we don’t condone corruption, be it in the public or private sector. It’s high time action is taken. We need to ensure that we are not derailed by actions of individuals who are selfish, self-centred, who can’t subordinate their own individual interests for national interests,” said Mr Gwatidzo.
National University of Science and Technology Dean of Communication and Information Science Dr Lawton Hikwa said it was important for Government to show that it did not condone corruption by prosecuting corrupt officials. “What we need to see is the due processes of the law taking its course when people are found to be corrupt. In the absence of that, people will continue to engage in corrupt activities with abundance because some of them will be assuming that at the end of the day, anyway nothing will happen to them. “In the spirit of Zim-Asset as well as the underpinnings that we have in the Constitution, the due process of the law must take its course. They should do more than just make pronouncements,” he said.
Chief’s Council president Chief Fortune Charumbira described corruption as endemic in the country where those who were involved in illicit dealings were seen prospering.
“I believe corruption can be dealt with as long as the issue of zero tolerance to corruption is honestly implemented. When we say zero tolerance we say there must be action at all levels.
“Corruption has become rampant because people have been left scot-free. We should not only focus on parastatals but should also target ministries to see how they are spending money from the Budget.
“Corruption has become endemic even in the ministries. There must be a thorough clean-up of the institutions. Action should be taken because without action we will be wasting time. People must see that if you are corrupt you get punished but if people go scot-free it’s just a waste of time,” said Chief Charumbira.
Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference secretary-general Father Fredrick Chiromba said: “It’s very difficult to eliminate corruption once it sets its foot but it can be contained when proper structures and systems are put in place.
“At the moment we have not seen words translated into action. Corruption has become a cancer that Government must curb if its programmes are to be successful,” he said.
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