OPINION: Corruption Is A National Security Threat

An opinionist writing for the Sunday Mail said corruption was a national security threat and the majority of Zimbabwe must heed the president’s call to end and report corruption for the betterment of the country.

The columnist opined:

The Willowgate Scandal, one of the major investigative stories in the history of the media in Zimbabwe, is pregnant with many important lessons.

When the scandal was first exposed in the media, then Cabinet minister Enos Nkala resigned. And after the findings were published, another implicated politician, Maurice Nyagumbo, also resigned and later took his own life.

Since that 1988 scandal, which shook the political establishment to its core and attracted attention from around the world, Zimbabwe has had to grapple with numerous cases of corruption both in the public and private sector.

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The cancer seems to be festering throughout Zimbabwe’s body politic in civil society organisations, churches, schools, the courts and other institutions charged with protecting the generality of the populace and the country at large.

It is disheartening to note the same institutions mandated with the responsibility of ensuring prudence and adherence to the laws of the country have themselves been mired in corruption scandals, a fact that at one point was raised by His Excellency President Mnangagwa.

Yet, several studies by respected organisations and scholars from around the world have concluded that strong public institutions are important in fostering economic growth and safeguarding a country’s national security.

Today, Zimbabwe finds itself in the grip of a myriad of challenges that continuously test its solidity.

Strong institutions ensure that issues of corruption are dealt with promptly as there should be coordination amongst all arms of the State.

Oftentimes, criminals exploit the laxity in institutions to evade justice. There is, therefore, urgent need to capacitate all insitutions dealing with issues of law and order, including the delivery of justice particlularly in tackling complicated cases.

Corruption is dehumanising, it is corrosive, it is a disease and like every other disease left untreated, it kills. This vice is now a matter of national security and authorities ought to treat it as such.

Corruption is a cancer, which takes the nation backwards and causes insecurity. Corruption is now a security threat because it is causing some individuals to create mafias or alliances for protection when found on the wrong side of the law.

Ordinary citizens expect authorities to address issues of corruption seriously because any perception of lethargy or lack of action creates disharmony and lack of public trust in institutions. We cannot allow a situation where development is stifled  by individuals who want to benefit at the expense of the whole nation.

Like President Mnangagwa has repeatedly said “… the fight against corruption requires the participation of every institution and individuals for a corrupt-free society. We need the support of the population and citizens.”

Zimbabweans in every part of this country must heed the President’s call and play their part, not just for their own sake, but for future generations to inherit a better country.

More: The Sunday Mail