Déjà vu: Zimbabwe ranked among most corrupt countries in the world

In a not so shocking development that confirms that Zimbabwe has weaker systems of law and idle democratic institutions, the country has been ranked among the most corrupt countries again.

Zimbabwe has scored 24/100 against the regional average of 33/100 according to the latest Corruption Perception Index (CPI) released by the Transparency International Zimbabwe (TIZ).

Countries at the top of the CPI tend to have stronger rule of law and well functioning democratic institutions and political stability.

Scores are rated from zero to 100, with those close to zero being the worst in tackling graft.

This is not the first time Zimbabwe has been associated with the most corrupt countries. Last year, TIZ ranked the southern African country at number 152 out of 180 countries with a score of 23 out of 100.

Speaking at the launch of the report in Harare, Prosecutor General Loice Matanda-Moyo admitted the mess saying there is a need to create a strong anti-corruption ecosystem in Zimbabwe by bringing on board all stakeholders to be part of the fight against graft.

She, however, indicated that “it is regrettable that the global corruption agenda focuses on the developing world yet the developed world is a haven for hiding the proceeds of corruption.”

The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has been accused of being toothless bulldogs because it does not have prosecuting powers.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa, last year, urged the judicial institutions to “keep the halls of justice clean.”

“I urge judicial officers and legal practitioners, among others, to keep the halls of justice clean by shunning and resisting corruption in all facets.

“The offices of judges and magistrates are sacred. Integrity, fairness, and probity of these officials should thus always inspire the confidence of our people,” he said.

TIZ board Chairperson Isheanesu Chirisa said: “In a democracy, citizens rely on the courts to sanction corrupt officials, politicians, citizens, and businesspeople, who steal resources and weaken integrity in public and private sectors.

“When the judicial system is corrupt, justice can not be delivered. Judicial independence is thus essential for impartial enforcement of the rules of a political system.”