By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Beitbridge — The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has officially launched its inaugural Anti-Corruption Awareness Campaign in Beitbridge, aimed at combating corruption at border posts and fostering integrity within the region.
The campaign, running from October 14 to 18, was launched today at Pamumvuri gardens, centered around the theme: “Stop Border Post Corruption.”
The event brought together government departments, corporate entities, and community stakeholders, all committed to raising awareness and sharing strategies to fight corruption. During the launch, representatives from Zimboarders, ZINARA, ZIMRE, Clearing Agents, VID, Immigration, and the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) delivered presentations on their roles and efforts in the anti-corruption drive.
Addressing the gathering, ZACC emphasized that corruption covered under sections 170 to 174 of the Criminal Codification Act, includes bribery, impersonation, overcharging, abuse of power, and the politics of patronage.
These criminal activities undermine economic growth and development, particularly at border posts, which are critical arteries for trade and movement.
Addressing attendees, Commissioner Chido Madiwa, Chairperson of ZACC’s Prevention of Corruption Committee, emphasized the urgency of addressing rising corruption cases.
“We come here to respond to the call by transporters that there has been an increase in corruption-related incidents. We urge everyone to do the right thing avoid bribery, false declarations, and always verify the identity of ZACC officers before engaging with them,” she said.
Commissioner Madiwa also highlighted the broader consequences of corruption, noting its detrimental impact on the country’s economy.
“Corruption distorts economic trajectories, frustrates investment, and hampers development,” she explained.
“This hampers our vision of achieving upper middle-income status by 2030.”
Chief Staff Officer of Crime, Commissioner Abigail, added that ripple crimes such as assault, drug smuggling, and human trafficking are often rooted in corrupt practices.
“We are witnessing an increase in human trafficking and child exploitation, all linked to corrupt activities. We call on the community to actively participate in fighting corruption by reporting suspicious activities,” she urged.
During the campaign, several stakeholders raised concerns about operational inefficiencies and integrity issues at border posts.
Mr. Dube, a representative from the Association for Passengers, Taxes, and Buses, questioned the criteria used to return buses after clearance, citing instances where buses are turned back 100 km away from the border, raising questions about transparency and accountability.
Osbert Shumba, a commercial transporter, highlighted delays caused by multiple stakeholders and the high tariffs at border posts, which he described as a significant burden on trade.
“Border delays and expensive tariffs are hindering efficient trade. We urge authorities to review these charges to facilitate smoother operations,” Shumba said.
The event culminated in the signing of a Declaration of Integrity Pledge, symbolizing the commitment of all stakeholders to uphold transparency, accountability, and integrity in their operations.
The campaign aims to foster a corruption-free environment at border posts, support economic progress, and contribute to Zimbabwe’s vision of becoming an upper-middle-income country by 2030.
Community members are urged to participate actively by reporting any corrupt activities and upholding the values of integrity in their daily interactions.