Zimbabwe’s Parliament has called on the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Ziyambi Ziyambi, to present a statement in the National Assembly detailing the government’s efforts to tackle corruption.
This request follows a report that ranked Zimbabwe as the most corrupt country in Southern Africa, raising serious concerns about governance and accountability.
Transparency International, a leading global anti-corruption organization, has consistently placed Zimbabwe among the worst-performing nations in terms of corruption, despite President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s 2017 commitment to eradicating the problem upon assuming office.
During a recent parliamentary debate, Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) legislator Gladys Hlatywayo pressed the government to address the country’s deteriorating reputation in the fight against corruption.
“Corruption has devastating consequences, including the erosion of public services that citizens depend on. As Parliament, we cannot remain silent on this issue, Mr. Speaker,” Hlatywayo stated.
She further highlighted the importance of responsible management of national resources, particularly in an era of declining international aid. Hlatywayo urged the minister to explain the government’s progress in enacting laws to protect whistleblowers and witnesses—key measures in tackling corruption.
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has come under scrutiny for its perceived failure to take decisive action, particularly against individuals linked to the ruling ZANU PF party. The absence of strong legal protections for whistleblowers has also been cited as a major hindrance in the fight against corruption.
Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda stressed the urgency of introducing whistleblower protection legislation.
“The Whistleblowers’ Bill must be brought before this House as soon as possible. As for the corruption rankings, I have my own reservations,” Mudenda remarked.
Strengthening anti-corruption measures remains a critical issue for Zimbabwe, particularly as part of its ongoing discussions with the African Development Bank (AfDB) through the Structured Dialogue Platform.
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