Following up on last week’s observation of International Anti-Corruption Day, Zimbabwean government officials and civic organizations are calling for adoption by the country of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.
The policy would oblige public office bearers in Zimbabwe to declare personal assets to promote transparency, honesty and accountability in public finance.
Alois Chaumba, representative in Zimbabwe of the Anti-Corruption Trust of Southern Africa, says corruption has created a massive financial gulf between public officials and citizens. Chaumba noted that at independence in 1980 the predecessor of ZANU-PF adopted a similar code, but this was never translated into action.
Chaumba said the proposal for the declaration of personal assets by public officials, which the Movement for Democratic Change formation of Prime Minister Tsvangirai has backed - as have some members of parliament of ZANU-PF and the rivel MDC formation of Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara - must be put in place to curb corruption.
Chaumba told VOA Studio 7 reporter Tatenda Gumbo that continued illegal enrichment of politicians is hurting ordinary people by diverting scarce resources.
