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Corruption and general mis-governance at the highest level of governance naturally run
down to the lower levels of society.
It is a culture, a cycle that can only be broken when the highest powers in the land gather
the will to instill transparency right from the head of the rotting fish.
In the case of Zimbabwe, corruption has become a cancer, and this January, its seeds, which
had been abundantly watered throughout the years by government’s ineptitude, flourished
and further spread deep into the lowest level of society.
As government announced a 30- day lockdown, police and soldiers returned to roadblocks
to enforce the strict travel restrictions.
In addition to harassing, intimidating and assaulting citizens, the police and the army
engaged in their own form of low-level corruption.
ZPP recorded countrywide incidents where the state security agents demanded bribes in
exchange for freedom to those they would have arrested.
For example, on January 5, police at Murombedzi Growth Point in Zvimba West arrested
and assaulted villagers who were at the rural shopping centre before demanding bribes.
The victims were accused of not properly wearing face masks and the villagers were only
released after paying between US$2.00 and US$3.00 each.
Down in Mt Darwin South soldiers from 2-1 brigade reserve force housed at the former
Border Gezi National Youth Service training camp have habitually carried out random
patrols in the small town.
Armed with guns and whips, the soldiers assault, intimidate and harass ordinary citizens in
the small town.
Firstly, there should be a clear distinction between the operations of the army and the
police, with the police being the civilian force meant to deal with law enforcement.
Secondly, ZPP recommends that government should retrain police officers and equip them
with human skills so that they do not overstep their mandate and engage in corruption,
unlawful arrests and assault of civilians.
On corruption, it takes government’s will to deal with the scourge, and it starts from the top.
Government should show sincerity to deal with this by ensuring that the Zimbabwe AntiCorruption Commission is not used as a political tool to deal with opponents and that it
operates without fear or favour.
Only this can ensure that corruption at the highest level is dealt with, and this will have
positive impact on the lower levels of society.
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