'Corruption is a greater enemy to the welfare of Zimbabweans,' says Bhebhe

MDC-T organiser Abednico Bhebhe has said corruption is a greater enemy to the welfare of Zimbabweans.

He said this was like what Tanzania President Julias Nyerere then in 1960 said  while addressing the 35th Session Debate on the Budget.

"I think I would be less than honest if I said that all is well, because it is not. There is corruption. Now, sir, I think corruption must be treated with ruthlessness because I believe myself corruption and bribery is a greater enemy to the welfare of a people in a peacetime than war.

"I believe myself corruption in a country should be treated in almost the same way as you treat treason. If people cannot have confidence in their own government, if people can feel that justice can be bought, then what hope are you leaving with the people?," Nyerere was quoted as saying.

Bhebhe through his Blog said also Guatemala President, Otto Perez Molina resigned days before an election after his alleged involvement in a massive corruption scandal, dubbed "La Linea" or "The Line", in which importers gave bribes to avoid paying customs duty.

"Protesters, business leaders and Catholic Church officials in Guatemala had called for Pérez Molina to resign in recent weeks as the investigation of the customs fraud ring grew wider and hit more officials. Pérez Molina was steadfast in his plan to stay, but finally stepped aside," said Bhebhe.

"He was arrested, dragged to court and remanded in custody because of fears that he might flee the country - moving from the presidential palace to a jail cell in a few days."

Bhebhe said if Mugabe had stepped aside a long time ago - as Pérez Molina did - over his mismanagement of the economy, corruption, human rights violations etc, the country will not be lagging behind other countries; will not be 20years behind as Mnangagwa rightly put recently during his visit to China.

"Mugabe has admitted that corruption was pervasive in his government and before that, he had revealed that some of his ministers were demanding bribes in order to grant mining licences. The deals are done behind Mugabe's back," he said. "Corruption is endemic in Mugabe's government. It continues to drag the country down a bottomless pit and has scared away much needed capital for economic growth. The scandals have been many since independence, beginning with the 1988-89 Willowgate scandal."

Bhebhe said it (corruption) is ingrained into the Zanu-PF party DNA for its political survival and well-being of the incumbent crooks. It enables patronage which is a key ingredient of the Zanu-PF "inviolate sacred scriptures.

"Zimbabweans have called for the probing of government officials but these have largely been ignored by Mugabe who lacks the political will," he said.

"Any serious effort to effectively stamp out corruption in any country has to be driven and led by a strong willed political leadership, a key ingredient that Mugabe lacks."

The MDC-T organiser said it has to be anchored and complemented by the whole hearted support from the bulk of the politicians as well as from high ranking government and public officials.

"These are the very same people who usually have the power and influence to either make things fail or succeed if they so wish," he said.

But alas, to date, no high ranking government official has been arrested and convicted for grand corruption.

"Zimbabweans wish that Mugabe and his followers had the interests of the nation at heart and learn from recent events in Guatemala and step aside to afford the country a chance to move forward. Unfortunately we have a self-serving 91 year old geriatric whose interests' lies in power retention, while his followers are only after lining their pockets."