Corruption hinders development in Zimbabwe

By Kenneth Kudakwashe Nyoka

Osoba SO writing in an article entitled “Corruption in Nigeria: Historical Perspectives”, Review of African Political Economy, ( 1996,372) defines corruption as “a form of antisocial behaviour by an individual or social group which confers unjust or fraudulent benefits on its perpetrators, is inconsistent with the established legal norms and prevailing moral ethos of the land and is likely to subvert or diminish the capacity of the legitimate authorities to provide fully for the material and spiritual well-being of all members of society in a just and equitable manner.”

This view is supported by Mulinge and Lesetedi (1998) who argue “that corruption has become one of the most notoriously persistent and progressively worsening social problems afflicting virtually all sub-Saharan African countries today is indisputable.

The practice has permeated virtually all institutions public and private, governmental and non-governmental. Having reached endemic proportions, corruption has become not only a way of life but also a principal method for the accumulation of private property.”(p16)

Corrupt behaviour incorporates the inappropriate use of authority, office, or official position with the deliberate intent of extracting personal or private monetary rewards or other privileges at the expense of public good and in violation of established rules and ethical considerations (Hope 1987;Dey 1989; United Nations 1990), theft, embezzlement of public funds or appropriation of state property by other means, as well as nepotism or granting of favours to personal acquaintances.

It comprises both petty and major acts that fall into these categories. It includes, on the one hand, individuals who demand bribes before rendering services to clients such as government file/record clerks who confiscate files and records belonging to other employees, retirees and clients seeking services until they are offered “something small”; also police officers who demand bribes from suspects in exchange for their freedom.

Account clerks who embezzle funds belonging to their employers also fall within this category. On the other hand, it includes individuals such as senior corporate and government officials who conclude secret deals involving huge sums of money with local and international organizations, companies and individual businesses or who practice extensive embezzlement of public or corporate funds.

Corruption can be a major impediment to political, social and economic development. Officials and individuals tasked with implementing policies are busy engaging themselves in corrupt activities instead of the delivery of services. (Makumbe, J (1994)

Contextualising the issue of corruption in contemporary Zimbabwe, it can be argued that the recent revelations in respect of embezzlement of a huge amount of funds from public bodies such as parastatals and quasi non governmental organisations(Quangos) has just given an indication into the magnitude of the problem.

Corruption has become a way of primitive accumulation of wealth which not only hinders development but substantially disadvantages those members of the community who do not have the right connections or already suffer a great level of social deprivation.

This point is amplified by Wafawarova (2011) who argues that corruption denies development and quality to the most vulnerable members of society. Sithole(2013) contends that corruption undermines the credibility of democratic institutions and counteracts good governance.

While corruption is not unique to the developing world alone and Zimbabwe for that matter anecdotal and survey evidence suggests that corruption is rampant in the developing world and more prevalent in developing countries than in rich ones (for a summary of the survey evidence on this, see Svensson (2005).

Events of the past few months and weeks in Zimbabwe lend credence to this assertion and has fortified the belief in the minds of the general citizenry in that country that corruption is rampant and out of control and that it now pervades the whole body politic. Corruption touches every aspect of society to such an extent that it has become anathema to carry out any single transaction without paying some kind of kickback.

It has become so endemic that individuals actually expect to pay a bribe for aspects of everyday service delivery. The absence of accountability and transparency that characterise most aspects of life in Zimbabwe have exacerbated and accelerated the prevalence of corruption.

There is an underlying sense of impunity in almost all sectors. The junior policeman at the roadblock knows that if they are caught soliciting for a bribe they will likely bribe the person that has caught them. Those who demand huge kickbacks in higher office know that they can bribe the investigating officer, prosecutor, magistrate or judge and the matter will die a natural death.

In 2012 Zimbabwe was ranked 163rd out of 176 countries by the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index. As argued previously this article does not mean there is no corruption elsewhere.

It is designed to highlight how corruption has become a national problem in Zimbabwe to such an extent that it is inhibiting national growth. Others have even claimed that the ugly head of corruption has actually stolen the proverbial thunder from the sanctions mantra.

What is now required is a seismic paradigm shift and a significant culture change that entails a thorough commitment to eradicate corruption at all levels. This commitment needs to come from the highest authorities in the land and cascade to the lower echelons in society. It is not going to be easy but with enough desire and commitment it can be done.

Kenneth Nyoka is a former Public Prosecutor and Magistrate in Zimbabwe. He is at [email protected]