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proliferation.
Corruption in Zimbabwe has grown over the years to pervade all systems of governance in the country.
Public sector units that interface with the general public have become known more for the corruption inherent in their systems than for the services they provide.
Corruption consumes the society’s fabric and destroys a nation’s value systems.
In societies riddled with corruption, hard work, integrity and sustainability stops having meaning and in their place comes mediocrity, greed, deceitfulness, and civil strive.
The country must stem corruption and focus on economic prosperity and national development that is crucial to poverty alleviation and raising the people’s living standards.
Corruption is bleeding the nation via substantial economic losses through resource misallocation, capital flight, scaring away foreign investors.
A World Bank study estimated that controlling corruption brings a 300 percent development dividend, and better governance creates a three-fold increase in per capita income in the long run.
A Global Investor Opinion Survey in 2006 which interviewed over 200 institutional investors revealed that investors are willing to pay a premium for companies that demonstrate high governance standards across the globe.
Corruption should be annihilated in the country. There is need to put an end to the idolisation of corruption and corrupt tendencies in the country.
The country needs to put in place corruption busting processes that make those who are in possession of wealth they got through corrupt deeds shiver.
They must be made to feel insecure in their communities and in their homes.
The new measures should instill a feeling of shame and fear in their hearts and minds that will force them to dispose of their loot on hilltops where everyone can see.
Wealth accumulated through corruption should become a hot potato in their hands because time to account for every possession has come.
Such is the level of awareness that is required in the country to ensure an effective clampdown on the bane.
The Anti-Corruption Commission that has just been constituted should have real teeth and clout, and should be empowered enough to deal with corruption wherever, and whenever it rears its ugly head.
There is no reason what so ever to treat corruption and the corrupt with kid gloves or to be apologists for their shameless acts.
As the nation coalesces against corruption, we should be privy to the fact that there are some among us who are pre-occupied with self-preservation, and would like the nation to believe that corruption should not be subjected to public scrutiny and measured state effort.
People who have taken advantage of noble national empowerment programmes to corruptly enrich themselves at the expense of the generality of the people should simply face the music and pay for their treacherous deeds. The fight against corruption should never be hindered by those who over the years have made corruption their way of life taking advantage of their influential positions in society to plunder national resources.
It should never be stalled by people who have corruptly amassed wealth, and would like to hoodwink the whole nation into believing that their ill-gotten wealth is sacrosanct, and that quenching their unrestrained greed is synonymous with black economic empowerment.
The country cannot be held to ransom by a few self-indulgent individuals.
The nation should never fall for obscure and vague weigh up that attempt to confuse genuine economic empowerment of the previously marginalised with blatant corruption.
Zimbabweans should join hands in fighting corruption and cursing it for its damaging effect on business, industry, government services, and the people’s livelihood.
Leaders in all sectors of the economy should lead from the front in the fight against corruption and should inspire efforts to put in place effective measures that nip the scourge in the bud.
Strong anti-corruption posturing should inform the conduct of every leader in both the public and private sectors.
Leaders should be asking themselves questions: “Are we conduits to corruption, or are we honest fighters of the scourge? If we are honest fighters, what valuable solutions, and anti-corruption measures have we put in place to tame the scourge?
“Are we leading by example and role modelling ethical behaviour in the organisations that we lead? Do we use the numerous international conventions and global collective actions against corruption as benchmarks, and do we see the value of these standards being buttressed by our own systems?
“Have we put in place initiatives that set higher standards of transparency and accountability in the country’s corporate and public governance processes?”
Predictable, competitive, and fair economic environments free of corruption are central to sustainable economic growth and national development.
Organisations that want to operate ethically today are finding it difficult to do so in the midst of rent seekers who bribe state officials with impunity, creating an unwarranted competitive advantage for themselves.
A key mechanism, which is a proven anti-corruption tool, is good governance anchored on ethical behaviour.
Good governance sets up a system of institutions that govern the relationship among players in the economy, and serves as an incentive towards an inspired and all-inclusive national development agenda.
As an anti-corruption tool, good governance introduces standards and mechanisms of transparency, accountability, and compliance with laws and regulations, which exposes unethical behaviours that sustain corruption. Good governance and business ethics are bedfellows the nation must use to navigate the horrendous terrain of systemic corruption.
Leaders in business must expand their engagement with the government in developing behaviour changing solutions, and reforming company level institutions through the introduction of corporate ethics programmes in their business operations.
Business, civil society, and Government have to work together to devise and implement solutions that drive out corruption and carry significant benefits for all citizens.
Let us put our heads together and wipe out corruption in our businesses, communities, and in our national governance processes.
l Bradwell Mhonderwa is the Managing Consultant of Business Ethics Centre, a Corporate Governance and Business Ethics Management firm. Phone 04-293 2948, 0712 420 090, 0772 913 875, or email [email protected]