News / National
Chiwenga talks tough
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Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga has pledged that the government will not tolerate corruption or tender fraud, warning that unethical practices undermine service delivery and public confidence.
Chiwenga made the remarks during the official opening of the Construction Industry Federation of Zimbabwe's annual congress in Masvingo, urging businesses to uphold ethical standards and purposeful leadership.
"However, let me emphasise that this partnership must be grounded on ethics, transparency and purposeful leadership," Chiwenga said. "We cannot and will not tolerate corruption, tender manipulation or unethical dealings that undermine confidence and compromise delivery."
He highlighted the shared responsibility of the construction industry to deliver infrastructure that is efficient, inclusive, innovative, and sustainable. Chiwenga noted that thriving economies are built on honesty, hard work, and sacrifice, while unethical dealings invite public outrage and diminish consumer confidence.
The vice-president's warnings come amid numerous allegations of corruption in public procurement, land acquisition, housing for civil servants, and sectors such as mining, health, and education. While oversight bodies like the Auditor-General and the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission have exposed and investigated cases of mismanagement, convictions, especially for high-profile individuals, remain rare.
Chiwenga also underscored the importance of the construction sector in driving economic growth. "The vibrancy and innovations of your industry signals the sustainable growth trajectory our economy is taking," he said. "As an economic regulator and employment creator, this industry is a significant employer, creating thousands of jobs and providing livelihoods for countless families."
The government, he added, remains committed to creating an enabling environment for the sector by reviewing policies, easing procurement processes, unlocking affordable lines of credit, and ensuring fair access for micro, small, and medium enterprises.
Transparency International's 2024 Corruption Perception Index ranked Zimbabwe as the 158th least corrupt country out of 180, reflecting ongoing challenges with integrity across various sectors, including construction.
Chiwenga made the remarks during the official opening of the Construction Industry Federation of Zimbabwe's annual congress in Masvingo, urging businesses to uphold ethical standards and purposeful leadership.
"However, let me emphasise that this partnership must be grounded on ethics, transparency and purposeful leadership," Chiwenga said. "We cannot and will not tolerate corruption, tender manipulation or unethical dealings that undermine confidence and compromise delivery."
He highlighted the shared responsibility of the construction industry to deliver infrastructure that is efficient, inclusive, innovative, and sustainable. Chiwenga noted that thriving economies are built on honesty, hard work, and sacrifice, while unethical dealings invite public outrage and diminish consumer confidence.
Chiwenga also underscored the importance of the construction sector in driving economic growth. "The vibrancy and innovations of your industry signals the sustainable growth trajectory our economy is taking," he said. "As an economic regulator and employment creator, this industry is a significant employer, creating thousands of jobs and providing livelihoods for countless families."
The government, he added, remains committed to creating an enabling environment for the sector by reviewing policies, easing procurement processes, unlocking affordable lines of credit, and ensuring fair access for micro, small, and medium enterprises.
Transparency International's 2024 Corruption Perception Index ranked Zimbabwe as the 158th least corrupt country out of 180, reflecting ongoing challenges with integrity across various sectors, including construction.
Source - newsday
