By Christopher Makaza
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has warned public officials that public funds should strictly be channelled towards public purposes and never for personal gain.
Officiating at the Anti-Corruption Awareness Campaign Strategy launch in Harare yesterday, the President also emphasised that state authority must be exercised for the people and never as a tool for personal benefit or the benefit of cliques and cartels.
“I exhort all public officials to be mindful of the immense responsibility they have towards national development in general and the improvement of the quality of life of the people. They must endeavour to always separate public and personal interest and to put the concerns of our people above their personal benefits.
“Public funds must be used for public purposes and never for personal gain. Equally, state authority must be exercised for the people, and never as a tool for personal benefit or the benefit of cliques and cartels,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said the Anti-Corruption Awareness Campaign Strategy initiative was timely as the nation consolidates the implementation of the multi-faceted reforms in the quest to accelerate the national development agenda.
“It is my sincere hope that this initiative will result in citizens not just knowing the risks and negative impacts of corruption, but also embolden them to be active participants in the fight against it.
“My Government has set out Vision 2030, which is predicated on zero tolerance to corruption amongst other issues. I am pleased that ZACC and NPA have to date, demonstrated zeal and focus in the implementation of their mandates as it relates to corruption,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said it was the duty of all stakeholders to raise people`s awareness about the costs of corruption and encouraged people to stand against it.
“This campaign strategy must therefore be a vehicle for promoting and strengthening multi-stakeholder dialogue around corruption and broader governance challenges,” he said.
President Mnangagwa reiterated that Government will continue to support and facilitate the building of strong, responsive and inclusive institutions across the socio-economic spectrum which fights corruption and meets the needs of the people of Zimbabwe.
Speaking at the same event, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi urged the European Union and their Allies to lift illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe citing that they are also contributing to the increase in corruption cases in the country.
“Sanctions and Corruption work hand in hand. Sanctions are causing the suffering of the ordinary people which will then result in them indulging in corrupt activities. I therefore encourage you ( referring to EU Head of Delegation, Timo Oikkonen present) to consider lifting of these sanctions bedevilling the country,” he said.
