Caprices, Malfeasances, and Malevolencies of Corruption: The Avoidable Erosion of Our Future

On the 9th of December 2024, I had a great opportunity to attend the UN 2024 Global Anti-Corruption Day programme organized by the ZIMCODD and TI Z together with ZACC. Again, under the auspices of Youth Decide Zimbabwe , I had a valuable prospect to participate and cross-pollinate ideas during virtual discussions. Both landmark events were run under the global theme, "Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow's Integrity." The theme underscores the necessity for collaboration between generations, institutions, and communities to empower young voices as co-creators and end-users of accountability and integrity-building narratives.

But hear my lamentation...the sun had long dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over our teapot-shaped stone-walled home, where hope seemed as fragile as the roof that barely shielded us from the elements. In the silence of the night, the weight of our reality pressed down on us, a reality where corruption was not some distant menace but a relentless force that invaded every aspect of our lives. It lurked in the cracks of our home, in the classroom where my brothers and sisters' brilliance is being stifled by demands for bribes, and on the streets where the police no-longer a protector, but predator. The air is now thick with the stench of despair, a reminder that the systems meant to uplift us had instead become chains, holding us down in the dark pit of poverty and injustice.

Today, I invite you to join me on a journey to confront the elephant in the room – corruption. A plague that has infected every fabric of our society, eroding the very foundations of our future. Zimbabwe, our beloved country, is ensnared in an ingenious cycle of scandals and mismanagement. From the US$60 million Covid-19 procurement scandal to the US$344 million Pomona Dumpsite Scandal, the gold mafia documentary, and the recent US$80 million goat scandal, it's clear that corruption has become a cancer that's silently consuming our future.

Who have read the Auditor General's 2023 report on Local Authorities, and wasn’t struck by the alarming statistics? A mere 19 out of 92 Local Authorities have updated financials as of December 2023, with a concerning 60% of audit opinions being adverse. This systemic issue of financial mismanagement and misrepresentation within Local Authorities jeopardizes the effective utilization of public funds and hinders the delivery of essential services to our communities.

Corruption in Zimbabwe is pervasive, touching every facet of life, from the corridors of power to the very foundations of everyday existence. It has become a force that defines the social and economic landscape, embedding itself in both public and private sectors. Despite Zimbabwe being a State Party to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and the establishment of various anti-corruption bodies such as the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), the scourge remains stubbornly entrenched.

But our work is far from over. Corruption is a deeply rooted evil that requires continuous effort and vigilance to combat. It is a battle that must be fought not just in boardrooms and courtrooms, but in classrooms, workshops, religious institutions, and homes across the nation. Civil society organizations like Transparency International Zimbabwe have tirelessly campaigned against it, exposing scandals and advocating for accountability. Yet, these efforts often meet with resistance, as corruption is deeply woven into the fabric of governance and daily life.

The struggle is not just against individuals, but against a system that seems almost impervious to reform. This systemic corruption has tangible, often devastating impacts on individuals and communities, as I have experienced firsthand.

Growing up, I was a victim of this pervasive corruption. In education institutions, bright and promising students are repeatedly asked for bribes by teachers in exchange for passing grades, a common practice in many schools. The education system, which should have been a ladder out of poverty, became another barrier. Meanwhile, our landlords, emboldened by a lack of accountability, ignored our pleas to repair our leaking roof despite diligently collecting rent. On the streets the police, instead of ensuring our safety, extorted money at every checkpoint, turning the simple act of traveling into a perilous and costly ordeal.

As young people of Zimbabwe, corruption is not an abstract concept for us; it is a daily assault on our dignity and aspirations, stripping away our hope with every encounter. As a youth leader in social accountability and anti-corruption narratives, there are always attempts to undermine our work, to co-opt our success for selfish ends, and to sow division among us. But we stand firm, grounded in the belief that our fight is just and our cause righteous.

Our unity and perseverance are our greatest strengths, allowing us to overcome these obstacles and continue our mission. The fight against corruption is a fight for our future, and it is one that demands the participation of every citizen. Let us be the generation that refuses to be defined by corruption, but instead, by our courage to stand against it.

As the African proverb goes, "When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you." Let us cleanse our hearts of fear and complacency and face the challenges ahead with the conviction that together, we can create a future where justice, integrity, and hope prevail.

The implications are dire, particularly for marginalized communities who bear the brunt of inadequate governance practices. Political interference further compounds these challenges, threatening the independence and autonomy of institutions et al.

So, how do we break this cycle of corruption and mismanagement? According to Vijay Sathe and Jill Jusko, renowned experts in Systems Thinking, the solution lies not in rearranging the furniture, but in redesigning the room itself. We need to change the thinking behind our thinking, rewiring our brains for a better future.

This means adopting a holistic approach to addressing corruption, one that involves not just individuals, but entire systems and structures. We need to rethink our values, our norms, and our institutions, and create a new paradigm that prioritizes transparency, accountability, and integrity.

As young people, we have a critical role to play in driving this change. We must say NO to the neoliberal fatalism that has characterized our political systems, and instead, demand a new era of governance that puts people at its center.

Let us rise up, let us speak out, and let us act with integrity. Together, we can create a brighter future for ourselves, our children, and our communities. A future where corruption is a thing of the past, and where transparency, accountability, and integrity are the guiding principles of our governance systems.

Aluta #Youth4Integrity!