By Lloyd Mupfudze- In his 2020 national budget statement on November 14,2019 the Minister of finance and economic development professor Mthuli Ncube correctly states that corruption causes economic malaise, wastage of public resources, jeopardises the environment for domestic and foreign investment and reinforces political instability.
Minister Ncube listed various strategies the government will take to curb corruption in Zimbabwe.
Whilst some of the strategies are key in the fight against corruption, government stand accused of taking it too long to come up with legislation to enforce chapter 9 of the constitution.
Section 194 talks about the basic values and principles governing public administration. Section 198 states that, “An act of Parliament must provide measures to enforce the provisions of this chapter, including measures requiring public officers to make regular disclosures of their assets, (b) establishing codes of conduct to be observed by public officers….”
Why is it taking so long for the government to introduce the legislation given the magnitude of the problem? The government’s reluctance to come up with the legislation shows the government’s lack of political will to lead by example and to combat the endemic and grand corruption which has continued to have corrosive effects on the socio and economic rights of millions of Zimbabweans.
I have repeatedly heard from different segments of society that the government anti-corruption drive is nothing but just “a catch and release strategy”. The government cannot be said to be taking a strong stance in the fight against corruption and impunity if it is failing or neglecting the implementation of chapter 9 of the constitution.
There have been efforts to combat corruption but have been concentrated at national level by the anti-corruption commission. There is not much that have been happening at local level.
Efforts to control corruption at local government level are dealt with by local government minister who have been accused of taking a partisan approach when it comes to dealing with corruption.
Declaration or disclosure of assets is now part of the constitution what is now left is for the government to enact an enabling law as provided for in the supreme law. Requiring public officials to provide lists of their assets and interests is one of the most effective means of preventing and identifying corruption.
According to a 2012 publication by the World Bank and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Public Office, Private Interests: Accountability through Income and Asset Disclosure, it has been noted that addressing corruption needs to be done on two simultaneous fronts: prevention and enforcement.
Income and asset disclosure systems are recognised as an anti-corruption tool that can potentially support both prevention and enforcement.
According to this publication, there are three main benefits of financial disclosure: detecting and preventing corrupt behaviour and conflicts of interests; building integrity in public service; and enhancing public confidence in the integrity of government.
There is need for an entity that manages the register of assets. In many parts of the world the issue of asset declaration has become key in the fight against corruption. Rwanda introduced it and have an online system every citizen can go online and see what their leaders or public officials owns. South Africa have also implemented a declaration of assets.
Even in South Sudan, the world’s youngest country asset disclosure has become a focal point in the fight against corruption.
Declaration of asset and financial disclosure is a sign of commitment to transparency and accountability. It also promotes public trust in government.