The endemic and endless corruption in Zimbabwe has
seen the public confidence in political and public institutions eroded to an
all time low. The silence from those responsible is deafening and the magnitude
of the scourge is striking. Corruption
among public officials in the country is a direct result of the existence of a
highly protected and perpetual class of career politicians who carry on without
due care or attention as they take cover under the shadows of a culture of impunity
for individual and collective indiscretions. It is a problem that stems from
the fact that citizens are in fact detached from the political process and
because of this disconnect the despondent electorate has allowed itself to be
taken for granted by an increasingly crookedly underhanded system. Politics
is not a profession but a public duty and with this duty comes responsibilities
and an interim opportunity to serve those who put their trust in the officials
they voted into positions of public officials. Professor Jonathan Moyo represents
that sanely sole voice that has renewed many people’s faith in the political
process in Zimbabwe with his persistency, consistency and transparency in
laying bare corrupt practices in the country. The system of impunity needs a
complete overhaul and the lone voice of Professor Moyo needs echoes from
foremost places.
The simplest of things matter to people and so it is those simple and practical approaches that endears leaderships
to the electorate. All public officials must give precedence to a renewed
commitment to corrupt-free practices and making things simple for the country’s
long suffering citizens. There must be a political commitment and a bona fide
will to rooting out corruption and that is the only starting point. Tackling corruption is critical to the country’s
economic transformation. Corruption is one of the most significant obstacles to
economic development in many developing countries and Zimbabwe is no exception.
What is worrying is the fact that corrupt practices are being accepted as a
cultural norm and the cushy embrace of impunity has been slowly etching the
immoral practice into the national fabric as a permanent patch. Professor
Jonathan Moyo’s unrelenting efforts need more voices rather than the questionable
silence that has prevailed since the salary scandals and the daily dishonorable
revelations of corruption. It is particularly dangerous when corruption turns
into the accepted way of life and citizens dejectedly adapt to coexisting
alongside the immorality. Corruption
has flourished in Zimbabwe because there are more chances of being attacked by
a great white shark in the Mukuvisi River than being punished for corrupt
practices in the country. The government needs to fund those organs that were
founded to tackle corruption and make them fully independent. All corruption fighting institutions are already compromised by
virtue of being headed and manned by man. The fact of the matter is that every
man is prone to corruption. The only way to tackle corruption is to address
morality and changing attitudes of the public and authorities alike. It is imperative that these corruption-fighting
institutions are headed and manned by individuals of integrity and their
autonomy needs to be protected and preserved. Public services need adequate
funding to strengthen institutions and foster accountability. Dealing with corruption requires effective institutions
and crucially an unswerving committal from the pinnacles of political power of
any nation.
Professor
Moyo has placed emphasis on keeping the public informed and changing deeply-entrenched attitudes that consider
personal loyalties more important than formal rules and public duties. He has
instilled a practical commitment to national trajectory, exposing and dealing
with corruption. The key to challenging corruption is a willingness to do the
dirty work and come out with your hands clean and sharing the responsibility
with all stakeholders. The problem with corruption and
letting corrupt practices go unpunished and without reproach is that it erodes
the trust people have in those in power and drains the much-needed resources to
revive the struggling Zimbabwean economy.
Leadership requires both reflective
and affective emotional intelligence and Professor Moyo poses those in
abundance. People are rational but then rationality is a matter of choice and
the alternatives which society and nature offers individuals. Society is
governed by a code of ethics and morals and every man and woman lives by these
standards. All people are equally governed by the same code of ethics that
define each and every society. Each and every individual is responsible for his
or her actions and answerable to their respective societies. Trying to justify
corruption and corrupt practices is morally repugnant and an insult to the law
abiding citizens of Zimbabwe. Professor Moyo has shown mettle in the corruption
fight and he has the mental stamina to see this through. But it is not his
battle alone but a national one. As the Zimbabwe opposition continue to descend
into chaotic confusion and finally laying itself to rest, Zanu-pf is playing
both the role of ruling party and opposition. The fight against corruption is
right here right now. We owe to the present and future generations of this
country.
Bernard Bwoni can be contacted on bernardbwn@aol.com/ bernardbwoni.blogspot.com
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