U.S. Ambassador slams corruption in Zimbabwe

United States Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Pamela Tremont, has described corruption as a "cancer" that is depriving Zimbabweans of their national wealth and severely undermining trade and investment prospects.

Speaking during the 249th U.S. Independence Day celebrations held in Harare on Wednesday, Ambassador Tremont warned that entrenched corruption continues to drive up the cost of doing business and erode confidence in Zimbabwe's economy.

"A strong stance against corruption is imperative, as it is corrosive to an investment climate," she said. "I strongly encourage efforts to fight this cancer in Zimbabwe's economy that robs the Zimbabwean people of the benefit of their precious resources and raises exponentially the cost of doing business in Zimbabwe."

Tremont emphasized that building a transparent and accountable investment environment would not only foster economic growth but also empower Zimbabweans to pursue prosperity and freedom.

"A healthy, vibrant investment climate would create a culture of opportunity – an opportunity for what our founders 249 years ago called ‘life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.' That is what we celebrate today," she said.

Her remarks come as Zimbabwe continues to grapple with widespread graft. According to the Office of the Prosecutor General, the country is losing an estimated US$2 billion annually to illicit financial flows and economic leakages — a figure that has raised alarm across the political and civil spectrum.

Though he steered clear of directly addressing corruption, Foreign Affairs Minister Amon Murwira reiterated Zimbabwe's commitment to improving its investment climate. Speaking at the same event, Murwira extended an invitation to American investors.

"We wish, therefore, to invite all potential United States investors to come and invest in Zimbabwe. The government is enhancing the investment climate to safeguard investors' interests and guarantee the protection of investments," Murwira said. "In 45 years, we have learned a lot. We are still learning. We are not 249 years."

Zimbabwe continues to slide on the global Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) released by Transparency International. The 2024 rankings place Zimbabwe at 158 out of 180 countries, a decline from its 149th position in 2023 — a clear indication of worsening public sector corruption.

Public skepticism over state spending remains high, with recent questions raised about the US$88 million cost of the newly commissioned Trabablas Interchange in Harare. Observers have pointed to significantly lower costs for similar projects elsewhere in the region, fueling allegations of inflated pricing and irregularities.

As pressure mounts for reform, observers say fighting corruption will be critical for Zimbabwe to attract meaningful foreign investment and restore trust in its institutions.