Zimbabwe govt says total end of corruption ‘unattainable’ as billions vanish

HARARE – At a time when Zimbabwe is grappling with an estimated US$1.8 billion annual loss due to corruption, the government has sensationally claimed that the total elimination of crime and graft may be ‘unattainable’.

This admission came during a parliamentary session where the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Kazembe Kazembe, addressed rising crime rates, stating that while measures are being implemented, the total elimination of crime and corruption may be unattainable.

“Firstly, it is the responsibility of the police and it is the responsibility of the Government to make sure there is peace. We have to nip crime in the bud. We have to prevent crimes from happening,” Kazembe stated.

“However, let me start by saying that the Government might not be able to stop crime totally because we cannot stop someone’s thoughts. We have 15 or 16 million people in this country. As we are seated here, we do not know what people are thinking.

“Maybe someone is committing a crime as we are talking. Someone might be raping, beating up someone and committing different crimes.”

“It is not possible for the Government to totally eradicate crime, corruption and stealing,” the Minister stated.

“What we must do as a Government is what I am going to explain, that we can take measures to lessen crime as we work towards the prevention of criminal activities. We are carrying out awareness campaigns every day.

“We have different programmes that we are running where we are educating people, not to keep large sums of money at home and to boast about having money because by so doing, you will be attracting thieves. This is one of the measures that we are taking.

“We are also trying our best to educate people to work together when we have noticed illegal activities to inform the police. Let us not take the police as enemies.

“We need the sharing of information with police because policemen are citizens. They cannot be everywhere. We also want to inform the House that we are going to be increasing patrols.”

Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo, head of Zimbabwe’s National Prosecution Authority (NPA), recently warned of the severe consequences of corruption, highlighting its threat to the nation’s economic recovery and Vision 2030 goals.

She cited that the estimated US$1.8 billion lost annually through illicit financial flows cripples the government’s capacity to fund essential development initiatives and public services like healthcare and education.

Matanda-Moyo, a former head of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, stressed that this financial hemorrhage leaves the government with insufficient resources for crucial development and basic services.

“Corruption remains one of the greatest barricades to the resuscitation of an economic thriving Zimbabwe and hinders the process of the attainment of our vision 2030,” Justice Matanda-Moyo stated.

“So, if we don’t fight corruption, we may not be able to see a successful vision 2030 coming into fruition.

“As a result of these illicit flows, governments are left with little or no financial resources to channel towards development and the provision of basic services such as health and education.”

Justice Matanda-Moyo further pointed out that ordinary citizens bear the brunt of corruption’s impact in Zimbabwe.

She asserted that these illicit financial flows are unacceptable and called for the total eradication of corruption and the recovery of stolen assets to benefit the populace.

“What hurts the most is the fact that the ordinary citizenry is the most affected as a result of corruption,” she stated.

“It is estimated that Zimbabwe, we are losing US$1.8 billion annually due to corruption.

“That is a huge sum of money. Such illicit financial flows are unacceptable and bleed the economy of revenue meant to promote sustainable economic development and the betterment of the livelihoods of all Zimbabweans.

“It is time ladies and gentlemen that we totally eradicate corruption in Zimbabwe and recover stolen assets,” Justice Matanda-Moyo added.