WE, in the village, hate corruption with a passion, for it is the one thing that swiftly derails order and sets back development.

Corruption is a silent thief. It does not shout or wave its hands in the air to announce itself, but it works quietly in the shadows, dismantling everything we are striving to build as a nation.

As Zimbabweans, we are committed to building our country, brick-by-brick, and make it a place where our children can dream big and succeed. But for every brick we lay, corruption seeks to remove two. It is a termite eating away at the foundation of our efforts, and unless we act decisively, it will undo all the strides we are making.

It is heartening to see that the calls for mandatory sentences for those convicted of corruption are gaining traction. This is a step in the right direction. Corruption is not just an administrative problem; it is a moral, social and economic cancer that threatens to derail our progress. We are also happy to learn that the powers-that-be are moving towards the implementation of the Whistleblower Protection Act.

All this sends a strong message that we are serious about rooting out this scourge. But let us be clear: the fight against corruption is not the Government’s duty alone. It is a fight that involves all of us because the cost of corruption is borne by every Zimbabwean.

The harm caused by corruption goes far beyond the theft of public funds. Corruption erodes trust in institutions, stifles economic growth and perpetuates inequality. When resources meant for building infrastructure, such as schools, clinics and bridges, are diverted into private pockets, the people suffer. When contracts are awarded to unqualified companies because of nepotism or bribes, the quality of our infrastructure suffers. And when positions in key sectors are filled by those lacking competence, our collective progress is put at risk.

Corruption, in all its forms, is the enemy of development. It is no different from a saboteur on a construction site, removing the bricks we have painstakingly laid. 

We cannot allow this to continue.

The proposal for mandatory sentences for those convicted of corruption is a welcome one. When offenders walk away with mere slaps on the wrist it emboldens others to follow in their footsteps. To completely eradicate corruption, we must make the consequences severe enough to deter would-be offenders.

Mandatory sentences send a clear message that corruption is a serious crime with serious consequences. When people see that the corrupt are held accountable, they will not be tempted to engage in nefarious activities.

Strong investigative and prosecutorial mechanisms will ensure that the corrupt are caught and convicted.

And this is where the Whistleblower Protection Act comes in.

Whistleblowers are the unsung heroes of the fight against corruption. They are the ones who take great personal risks to expose wrongdoing, often at great cost to themselves. Without them, many acts of corruption would go unnoticed and unpunished.

The implementation of the Whistleblower Protection Act is, therefore, a critical step forward. This law will provide legal protection to those who report corruption, shielding them from retaliation and ensuring that they can speak out without fear.

But legal protection is not enough. We must also create a culture that values and supports whistleblowers. They must be seen not as troublemakers or traitors but as patriots who are doing their part to build the Zimbabwe we want.

Corruption is not just about bribes and embezzlement. It also extends to behaviours like nepotism, which are equally damaging to our nation’s progress. When key positions are filled based on connections rather than competence, the entire system suffers. Imagine a pilot flying a plane without the proper training, or a doctor performing surgery without the necessary qualifications. The results would be disastrous.

The same principle applies to our key sectors. Whether it is in agriculture, education, health or infrastructure, we need the right people in the right positions. Nepotism undermines this by prioritising personal relationships over merit. It is a betrayal of the public trust and a direct threat to our development.

To address this, we must promote a culture of meritocracy – a system where positions are awarded based on ability, qualifications and performance. This will require transparency in recruitment processes, rigorous checks and balances and a commitment to fairness at all levels, both in the public and private sectors.

While laws and policies are essential, they alone cannot solve the problem of corruption. This is a fight that requires the active participation of every Zimbabwean. We must all take responsibility for building a culture of integrity and accountability.

Corruption thrives because people enable it. Whether it is paying a bribe to expedite a service or using personal connections to secure a job, every act of corruption, no matter how small, contributes to the problem. We must all commit to saying no to corruption in our daily lives.

The Whistleblower Protection Act will only be effective if people are willing to come forward and report corruption. This requires courage, but it is a vital step in holding the corrupt accountable.
Corruption is not just a problem for politicians and public officials; it is a problem for society as a whole. We must all promote ethical behaviour in our families, schools, workplaces and communities.

Ultimately, the fight against corruption is about building a culture of accountability. This means creating an environment where honesty, integrity, and fairness are valued and rewarded, and where corruption is met with swift and decisive action.

This is not an easy task. Changing a culture takes time, effort and persistence. But it is a task we must undertake if we are serious about building the Zimbabwe we all dream of.

The cost of failing to address corruption is too high to ignore. It is not just about money lost or opportunities missed; it is about the kind of country we want to leave our future generations.

The answer is clear. We cannot afford to let corruption derail our progress. We cannot allow the bricks we are laying to be removed by those who put their own interests above the nation’s.

To let the great works being implemented by the leadership of our nation be frustrated and retarded by corruption is a travesty.

The fight against corruption is not someone else’s fight. It is your fight. It is my fight. It is our fight. Together, we must stand up to those who seek to undermine our progress, whether through bribery, nepotism or any other form of corruption.

* Businessman Tawanda Chenana is also a philanthropist and Secretary for Lands for ZANU PF Mashonaland East Province.