By Revesai Mavetera
Former Speaker of the National Assembly, Lovemore Moyo, has accused the Zimbabwean government of failing to effectively combat corruption, leading to significant hindrances in the financing of crucial development projects. In a statement, Moyo lamented the pervasive corruption among high-ranking government officials, which, he claimed, has impeded the funding of infrastructure initiatives, procurement of medicine, and the delivery of efficient services to communities.
Moyo reminded the public of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s promise to eradicate corruption, noting that such efforts have significantly waned. He expressed disappointment over recent corruption scandals that allegedly involve the First Family and their close associates, complicating the country’s fight against corruption even further.
Pointing to the revelations surrounding the ownership of 21 farms and multimillion-dollar properties by Bona Mugabe, the daughter of former President Robert Mugabe, and her husband, Simba Chikore, Moyo questioned the extent of land, properties, and natural resources held by members and associates of the First Family.
The former Speaker stressed the urgency of investigating corruption in the mining sector, specifically highlighting the control of vast mining claims by a select few individuals, who seemingly hold these claims for speculative purposes. Moyo emphasized that corruption undermines the integrity of government institutions and the entire leadership of the country, while also significantly eroding the revenue collection base.
Moyo argued that corruption discourages foreign direct investment and promotes black market activities, resulting in the government’s inability to meet its service delivery promises and cater to the needs of its citizens effectively. Therefore, he urged the Zanu PF government to intensify its efforts in combating corruption, looting, and the theft of state resources.
The former Speaker also drew attention to General Notice 635 of 2023, which initially aimed to shield selected government procurement from public scrutiny but was later withdrawn. Moyo viewed this move as a preemptive strategy by the government to conceal corruption, particularly concerning President Mnangagwa’s acquisition of helicopters.
Furthermore, Moyo highlighted that corruption has deeply ingrained itself in the political fabric of Zanu PF since the early years of Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980. He warned about the severe consequences of corruption, with citizens being the ones to suffer from the looting of public resources. As a result, he urged the government to initiate thorough investigations into corruption scandals within the mining sector.
