Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
ALL is set for the hosting of this year’s African Anti-Corruption Day commemorations, which will be held in Gwanda next week Friday in line with the devolution agenda.
The event will be run under the theme: “Promoting Human Dignity in the Fight Against Corruption” on July 11.
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) will lead the national commemorations aimed at raising awareness about the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (AUCPCC).
Zimbabwe has ratified the treaty, and will mobilise citizens to actively participate in the fight against corruption.
In statement ZACC communications manager, Ms Simiso Mlevu, said the theme recognises that human dignity, defined as the respect for and fulfilment of human rights and freedoms, must be the foundation and goal of all anti-corruption initiatives.
“Zimbabwe will join the rest of Africa in commemorating the 2025 African Anti-Corruption Day on July 11, under the African Union’s theme: ‘Promoting Human Dignity in the Fight Against Corruption’.
“The commemorations, will highlight the important link between combating corruption and upholding human rights and dignity.
“The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) will lead the national commemorations, which will held in Gwanda, Matabeleland South, in line with the Second Republic’s Devolution mantra,” said Ms Mlevu.
“The African Union Advisory Board Against Corruption (AUABC) has emphasised that corruption is a violation of human dignity and that anti-corruption efforts must be human-centered,” she said.
Ms Mlevu said this year’s commemoration will see a march being conducted in the mining town as well exhibitions by various stakeholders.
The objectives of this year’s commemoration are to reinforce the centrality of human dignity in anti-corruption strategies across the continent by promoting people-centered approaches in the prevention, investigations, and prosecution of corruption.
It will also raise awareness among citizens, especially vulnerable and marginalised groups, about their rights and the importance of demanding transparency, accountability, and dignity in public service delivery.
“This year’s commemoration will also encourage member States to align their national anti-corruption frameworks with the provisions of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (AUCPCC), the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), and other relevant human rights instruments. It will also celebrate progress and share best practices in integrating human dignity in anti-corruption efforts through legal reforms, citizen engagement, institutional integrity, and social accountability mechanisms,” she said.
Ms Mlevu said the programme will provide a platform for engagement and solidarity among governments, civil society, anti-corruption agencies, development partners, faith-based organsations, academia, media, and the private sector in advancing dignity-based anti-corruption initiatives.
“Through the commemoration we also seek to encourage the protection of whistle blowers and victims of corruption and promote legal and psychosocial support mechanisms that uphold their dignity and safety,” said Ms Mlevu.
“The event will also highlight the importance of anti-corruption measures in promoting human dignity and justice for Africans and people of African descent,” she said.
-@DubeMatutu
