ZACC Chairperson Michael Reza and Minister of Local Government and Public Works Daniel Garwe at the signing ceremony in Harare (Photo Credit)-Hopewell Chibvongodze
By Donald Chakamanga
The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works in Zimbabwe has made a bold move in the fight against corruption by hosting an Integrity Pledge Ceremony in Harare.
The event saw 150 officials, including the Minister, Cde Daniel Garwe, publicly committing to uphold ethical standards by signing Integrity Pledges. The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) Chairperson, Mr. Michael Reza, officiated the pledging process, marking a significant step towards fostering transparency and accountability within the Ministry.
During the ceremony, Mr. Reza delivered a sobering address, revealing that in 2023 alone, ZACC received 999 reports of corruption, with a staggering 56% implicating public officials, including those from the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works. He stressed that the Integrity Pledge represents more than just a symbolic gesture—it is a serious and public commitment to ethical conduct in public service. Mr. Reza emphasized that combating corruption is not just the responsibility of anti-corruption bodies, but also of every public official who must uphold the principles of integrity in their work.
ZACC Chairperson administers the integrity pledge on Ministry Permanent Secretary Dr John Basera
In his keynote address, Minister Garwe underlined the pivotal role of integrity in achieving Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030—a national strategy aimed at transforming Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income country by 2030. He announced the creation of a Ministerial Integrity Committee, which will be trained by ZACC to proactively address corruption within the Ministry. This committee is expected to act as a watchdog, ensuring that the Ministry’s operations are conducted with the highest standards of transparency and integrity.
Minister Garwe also spoke on the broader implications of corruption on Zimbabwe’s social fabric. He noted that corruption has significantly eroded public trust in government institutions, making initiatives like the Integrity Pledge crucial for rebuilding confidence among citizens. The Ministry’s initiative is seen as a potential catalyst for other government departments to adopt similar measures, setting a new standard for ethical governance across the country.
The Integrity Pledge Ceremony is part of a broader strategy by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works to not only combat corruption but also to restore and strengthen the moral foundation of Zimbabwe’s public sector. As the country strives toward its Vision 2030 goals, initiatives like these are expected to play a crucial role in shaping a future where transparency, accountability, and integrity are the cornerstones of public service.