Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga has issued a stern warning against corruption and tender fraud, declaring that the government will not tolerate these vices that undermine service delivery and national development. Speaking at the Construction Industry Federation of Zimbabwe annual congress in Masvingo, he stressed the need for businesses to adhere to ethical practices and transparent leadership.
"We cannot and will not tolerate corruption, tender manipulation or unethical dealings that undermine confidence and compromise delivery," Chiwenga said, emphasizing that such actions lead to public outrage and diminished consumer trust.
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Chiwenga's strong words come amid a long-standing and widespread issue of corruption in the country. The Auditor-General's annual reports have consistently exposed significant financial mismanagement and potential fraud across various sectors, including public procurement, land acquisition, health, and education.
While the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has made arrests of some officials and businesspeople involved in tender corruption, convictions, particularly of high-profile figures, remain rare. Critics often point to political influence as a major factor hindering the prosecution of these cases. The United States has even imposed sanctions on some individuals under the Global Magnitsky Programme due to their involvement in corrupt practices.
According to the 2024 Corruption Perception Index (CPI) by Transparency International, Zimbabwe is ranked 158 out of 180 countries, with an average ranking of 130.70 since 1998. This low ranking suggests a public sector that is perceived as highly corrupt, reflecting Transparency International's observation in its "Zimbabwe National Integrity Study" that corruption is "fast becoming a way of life."
Chiwenga also highlighted the critical role of the construction industry in achieving the government's development goals. He praised the sector's vibrancy as a sign of the economy's sustainable growth trajectory, noting its importance as a major employer and a key driver of economic activity across other sectors like manufacturing and logistics.
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