News / National
Corruption deeply entrenched within Zimbabwe's pro-democracy movement
2 hrs ago | Views
United States-based veteran opposition activist Freeman Chari has alleged that corruption is deeply entrenched within Zimbabwe's pro-democracy movement, warning that the problem undermines the credibility of opposition parties.
In a recent post on X, Chari criticized some opposition figures for discouraging efforts to expose corruption, arguing that such actions are rationalized as protecting the movement from attacks by the ruling ZANU-PF. He wrote:
"The biggest problem in the pro-democracy movement is that we have so many corrupt people in there. Anyone exposing those people is quickly shut down hanzi you give ZANU-PF ammunition."
Chari further alleged that corruption within the opposition is not a new phenomenon, citing an instance from the early 2000s when a scholarship program for persecuted activists within the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) was reportedly turned into a "family affair."
Call for Accountability
The activist warned that ignoring corruption within the opposition emboldens wrongdoers, who may carry the same unethical behavior into public office if elected. He cautioned:
"It then goes into councils and the same unscrupulous characters carry the same behavior into office. We defend them, but they don't stop."
Chari, who has spearheaded fundraising efforts for school infrastructure development in Zimbabwe, emphasized the need for transparency and accountability within the opposition. He warned that failure to address corruption risks turning the opposition into a mirror image of ZANU-PF.
Widespread Corruption in Councils
Chari's remarks come amid ongoing concerns about corruption in local councils, many of which are governed by opposition councillors. In Bulawayo, Deputy Mayor Edwin Ndlovu and Councillor Mpumelelo Moyo were recently arrested for allegedly demanding a US$20,000 bribe from Chinese investors.
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has reported that local government employees account for 13% of all corruption cases under investigation. In Harare, a commission of inquiry led by Retired Justice Maphios Cheda has uncovered widespread graft within the city council, implicating several officials, including those affiliated with opposition parties.
Implications for Opposition Credibility
Chari's revelations highlight the challenges facing the opposition in maintaining moral authority while fighting corruption. His call for reform and accountability echoes broader public sentiment that addressing internal corruption is critical to building trust and offering a viable alternative to ZANU-PF.
In a recent post on X, Chari criticized some opposition figures for discouraging efforts to expose corruption, arguing that such actions are rationalized as protecting the movement from attacks by the ruling ZANU-PF. He wrote:
"The biggest problem in the pro-democracy movement is that we have so many corrupt people in there. Anyone exposing those people is quickly shut down hanzi you give ZANU-PF ammunition."
Chari further alleged that corruption within the opposition is not a new phenomenon, citing an instance from the early 2000s when a scholarship program for persecuted activists within the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) was reportedly turned into a "family affair."
Call for Accountability
The activist warned that ignoring corruption within the opposition emboldens wrongdoers, who may carry the same unethical behavior into public office if elected. He cautioned:
"It then goes into councils and the same unscrupulous characters carry the same behavior into office. We defend them, but they don't stop."
Chari, who has spearheaded fundraising efforts for school infrastructure development in Zimbabwe, emphasized the need for transparency and accountability within the opposition. He warned that failure to address corruption risks turning the opposition into a mirror image of ZANU-PF.
Widespread Corruption in Councils
Chari's remarks come amid ongoing concerns about corruption in local councils, many of which are governed by opposition councillors. In Bulawayo, Deputy Mayor Edwin Ndlovu and Councillor Mpumelelo Moyo were recently arrested for allegedly demanding a US$20,000 bribe from Chinese investors.
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has reported that local government employees account for 13% of all corruption cases under investigation. In Harare, a commission of inquiry led by Retired Justice Maphios Cheda has uncovered widespread graft within the city council, implicating several officials, including those affiliated with opposition parties.
Implications for Opposition Credibility
Chari's revelations highlight the challenges facing the opposition in maintaining moral authority while fighting corruption. His call for reform and accountability echoes broader public sentiment that addressing internal corruption is critical to building trust and offering a viable alternative to ZANU-PF.
Source - pindula
