SMEs unite to fight corruption

Locadia Mavhudzi Midlands Correspondent

Small to Medium Enterprises in Gweru have formed a coalition to fight corruption, which has been identified as a major setback in their development.

Dubbed “Gweru SMEs against corruption”, the coalition was formed following a series of training workshops on corruption by a local organisation, SME Anti-Corruption Trust of Southern Africa.

Gweru Kudzanayi Vendors Association chairperson Mr Japhet Reketayi said they were worried by emerging tendencies of corruption where middlemen had become part of their supply chain of fruits and vegetables and they dictated cash and mobile money transfer prices.

“As vendors, we must take a united stance against corruption,” he said.

“Middlemen are now causing confusion between farmers and vendors. Others are now only accepting cash and one can no longer order some products using mobile money.

“This is one area where we are now going to discuss and map the way forward because Kudzanayi market is the home of fruit and vegetables in Gweru.”

Speaking at a recent meeting, the trust director Mr Obert Chinhamo said most small enterprises fall vulnerable to corruption because they did not have the requisite papers to enable them to conduct business professionally.

“Operating a business without a licence as required by the law is one of the key shortfalls that make small enterprises vulnerable,” he said.

“When you are in the transport business for instance, make sure you authorise a licenced driver to handle your vehicle or your fleet.

“For those in the food industry, do not allow employees of your restaurant to work without medical certificates.”