By Lerato Ndlovu
The United Nations has urged the world to unite against all corrupt activities to achieve remarkable Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Running under the theme: ‘United against corruption, ‘ the International Anti-Corruption Day’s global campaign #UnitedAgainstCorruption drives focus on corruption as one of the biggest obstacles to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In his statement to the world, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres stated that people should work on innovative solutions to win the battle against corruption.
“On this International Day, I urge people everywhere to continue to work on innovative solutions to win the battle against corruption and to ensure that precious resources serve the peoples of the world.
“We must unite against corruption to stop the drain on resources caused by illicit financial flows. The United Nations Convention against Corruption, ratified by nearly every country in the world, gives us the means to strengthen our commitment to addressing this issue,” read his statement.
In Zimbabwe corruption has affected all the classes in the society, it has distorted the citizen’s rights and privileges to many services such as, access to funding, infrastructure development and job creation.
It has caused hunger and resulted in near-death experiences, with hospitals running out of medication and money being sold at high percentages that are not coherent with the lifestyle that the people are living leading to severe poverty amongst themselves.
Currently, the nation is between the jaws of economic madness which have crippled socioeconomic lives of many living under poverty datum line. Mobile money transactions particularly under the EcoCash platform has remained a cause of concern for many Zimbabweans and questioned the efforts of the government to normalize the system.
Although the government has given Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission arresting powers, not much has been done to remove corruption activities from the societies that we live in.
As corruption is not defined as only being financial, but can also be sociopolitical, it is eroding trust in state and public institutions, which in turn weakens capacity to fight corruption. Thus, a risky by-product for lack of trust in the state is increasing crime.
The statement from the Secretary General went on to say that people are angry and the future must be fought for by all.
“People are right to be angry, corruption threatens the well-being of our societies, the future of our children and the health of our planet. It must be fought by all, for all.
“And as in their mobilization for ambitious climate action and a fair globalization, it is inspiring to see young people demanding accountability and justice as a way to address and eradicate corrupt practices, he said”.
As per the data, given by the United Nations, every year $1 trillion is paid in bribes while an estimated $2.6 trillion are stolen annually through corruption – a sum equivalent to more than 5 per cent of the global Gross Domestic Product.
In developing countries, according to the United Nations Development Program, funds lost to corruption are estimated at ten times the amount of official development assistance.
Furthermore, the United Nations asserted Corruption is a serious crime that can undermine social and economic development in all societies. No country, region or community is immune.
