Corruption Undermines Conservation

Corruption Undermines Conservation – Prof Gandiwa

ZIMPARKS Director General, Professor Edson Gandiwa

MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA- Zim Now Writer

Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority Director General, Professor Edson Gandiwa, has warned that corruption undermines conservation and erodes public confidence, thereby compromising service delivery.

Prof Gandiwa said corruption also threatens the sustainability of the country’s ecosystems, stressing the need for collaborative efforts to eliminate the scourge.

He made the remarks on Monday during the Integrity Sensitisation and Pledge Signing programme conducted by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission at the ZimParks Headquarters in Harare.

“So let me be very clear that corruption undermines conservation, it erodes public confidence, it compromises service delivery, and it threatens the sustainability of our ecosystems. We cannot afford to allow unethical practices to take root in any area of our operations,” said Prof Gandiwa.

He added: “For instance, every permit issued, every contract signed, every patrol conducted, just to mention a few, must reflect our unwavering dedication to ethical service delivery.

"This programme is therefore a call to action, a call to each of us, regardless of rank or role, to recommit ourselves to the values that elevate our institution and protect our legacy.

“Let us pledge not in words alone, but in conduct, to be champions of integrity. From today onwards, each one of us should be a champion of integrity.”

Prof Gandiwa emphasised that ZimParks’ governance frameworks should not only comply with national and international standards, but also be resilient, transparent and inclusive. He urged all ZimParks staff, stakeholders and partners to fully engage in the process to ensure best practices while shunning corruption.

“Today’s programme is not merely a procedural exercise; it is a reaffirmation of our institutional values and a collective pledge to uphold the principles that define credible public service, which include transparency, accountability, integrity and the rule of law.

"These are not just abstract ideas — they are the foundation upon which public trust is built, and the compass that must guide every decision, every action and every interaction within our Authority.

“As custodians of Zimbabwe’s natural heritage, we are entrusted with a mandate that demands the highest ethical standards. Our commitment to conservation must be matched by our commitment to good governance, even when no one is watching. We must be unyielding in our stance against corruption, vigilant in identifying unethical conduct and courageous in confronting it wherever it may arise,” he added.

ZACC’s Compliance and Systems Review Manager, Tafirenyika Maringire, said the commission is championing the inculcation of integrity in both public and private sectors to groom officials who can serve the country with honesty.

“Integrity is the foundation upon which all effective public service rests. This principle is critical in the conservation of Zimbabwe’s wildlife heritage and the protection of natural resources for the benefit of our economy as a whole.

“The signing of the Integrity Pledge by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority is a clear indication of the principles of transparency, accountability and ethical conduct that form the bedrock of achieving zero tolerance to corruption,” he said.

Maringire added that corruption in public institutions, particularly those safeguarding wildlife and natural resources, is “a poison that undermines the foundations of economic growth, development, social progress and is the highest level of betrayal of public trust.”

He commended ZimParks for embracing integrity as an institutional virtue, noting: “The Integrity Pledge represents a powerful alignment with our mission and values.

"It demonstrates that ZimParks shares our commitment to transparency, accountability and ethical governance. In a loud voice, ZimParks is saying corruption will find no safe haven within the authority.”

ZimParks Board Chairperson, Dr Agrippa Sora, said the session with ZACC reflected a shared commitment to strengthening the ethical foundation upon which ZimParks must continue to operate.

“We have been reminded today that good governance is not a theoretical aspiration. It is a daily discipline — the quiet courage to act with integrity when no one is watching, the resolve to uphold transparency even when expedience tempts otherwise. Accountability is not optional, but essential.

“Let us be clear: corruption is not merely a legal infraction, it is a betrayal of public trust and a threat to the sustainability of our conservation mission.

"As stewards of Zimbabwe’s protected areas, we must lead by example and ensure that every decision, every transaction and every service rendered is guided by ethical clarity,” said Dr Sora.

Members of the ZimParks Board and several senior staff attended the session and signed the pledges.