'Corruption worse than sanctions'

THE cancer of corruption is now deeply imbedded in Zimbabwe and it has had a more telling blow on the economy than the illegal sanctions that were imposed on the country by the West, Paddy Zhanda, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation, Irrigation and Development Responsible for Livestock, has said.

Addressing livestock farmers at the Sunday News Agribusiness Indaba at a Bulawayo hotel recently, Zhanda said corrupt Government officials were undermining attempts by the Zanu-PF administration to grow the economy and empower citizens.

"I hate to admit it, but we cannot hide from the truth, corruption is cancerous in Zimbabwe. In fact I am convinced that it has cost us more than sanctions. I don't like to talk about areas that are not under my jurisdiction, but I will, Dr (Douglas) Mombeshora (the Minister of Lands and Rural Resettlement) had to fire most lands officers because they were corrupt. Most of them were now driving Mercedes Benzs. Where did they get the money to buy those luxury cars? From corrupt activities," said Zhanda.

Zhanda told delegates that corruption was so cumulative in Zimbabwe so much that it has stolen the wealth of the nation and impoverished the people.
"Black people were given opportunities by President Mugabe to run banks. What did they do? They abused people's money and plunged many into poverty. Such people are criminals, they should be in jail, but they are walking in the streets."

The Zanu-PF Goromonzi North Member of Parliament also touched on the Government's strategy to combat the effects of drought. He said the Government's response was not co-ordinated and there was no chain of responsibility because ministries were not united.