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Walter Nyamukondiwa-Mashonaland West Bureau Chief
Zimbabwe has made significant strides in its fight against corruption, with civil society highlighting a positive shift in how the public service sector is viewed.
This progress is attributed to effective multi-stakeholder collaboration and targeted interventions.
Civil society organisations have reported marked improvements, citing the opening of communication channels as a key factor in changing citizens’ views of public services.
Collaboration between intergovernmental agencies and civil society has enabled Zimbabwe to fulfil its obligations in preparing the SADC anti-corruption report.
The country has also complied with the SADC regional anti-corruption monitoring and evaluation framework, which tracks member states’ progress in combating corruption and assessing the effectiveness of their interventions.
Stakeholders recently gathered in Kariba to compile the regional anti-corruption monitoring and evaluation framework and the anti-corruption reports, which are due for submission to the SADC Secretariat on December 11.
Accountability Lab, a non-governmental organisation collaborating with Government agencies, including the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), noted significant improvements in the country’s anti-corruption efforts.
Monitoring and learning officer at Accountability Lab Mrs Nonsikelelo Ndlovu highlighted positive changes over the past few years.
“When we first came into Zimbabwe in 2020, there was a lot of mistrust and very little faith in the public services sector.
“We have tracked perceptions since then and can see improvements in how citizens view public sector workers.”
One of the key interventions has been shifting the narrative from solely highlighting negative aspects to promoting and recognising diligent public service officers.
Mrs Ndlovu said ZACC’s openness to collaboration with civil society had significantly strengthened the fight against corruption.
Zimbabwe Women Against Corruption Trust executive director Ms Sandra Matendere noted substantial progress regarding women’s access to justice in the anti-corruption fight.
During the SADC monitoring and evaluation workshop, ZACC monitoring and evaluation manager Ms Sifikile Moyo underscored the importance of collaboration with stakeholders in combating corruption.
The adoption of the SADC Protocol Against Corruption by Heads of State and Government in July 2005, led to the establishment of the SADC Anti-Corruption Committee to implement the regional body’s Strategic Anti-Corruption Plan (2023-2027).
The meeting in Kariba brought together key representatives from several institutions, including the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), ZACC, Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Public Service Commission (PSC), Judicial Services Commission (JSC), Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), Office of the Attorney General, Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), Asset Management Unit, Transparency International Zimbabwe, Legal Resources Foundation, Accountability Lab, Zimbabwe Women Against Corruption Trust and ZIMCODD.
Online Reporter