By Noah Mangwarara.
(News of The South) – In a world of rampart corruption; with the scourge being so cancerous in Zimbabwe, the proposed Code of ethics for parliamentarians, cabinet ministers and any other person who desires pubic office should be the way to go.
If you have nothing to hide, then there should be no reason to fight against such a noble cause. There has been an outcry in parliament when Nelson Chamisa proposed that a Code of Ethics be formulated for every parliamentarian whereby declaration of assets is done before one take an oath of office. One wonders why there was so much noise if there is nothing to hide. The instant one take up pubic office, then they stand to be scrutinized- that is the very essence of being on the forefront of things, politically, economically or religiously.
Any anomaly can be corrected from the top. If the parliamentarians are not prepared to have their affairs checked and analyzed, then who will have the mandate of guarding the guardians and policing the police? Leadership is driven by action rather than much talk not supported by the requisite action. Rhetoric on its own is never going to unshackle us from the corruption that we have been made to live with for so long. The unfortunate thing is that Zimbabwean parliamentarians are a bunch of thieves; no different from the armed robbers who steal from people during the night, only that these ones have been given the mandate to steal by the voters. Astonishingly, these are the very same thugs who continue to ask for a vote each time there is an election like the one coming in the next few months.
Truly, why should a leader worth his salt be afraid of embracing a worthwhile instrument like a code of ethics which is meant at curbing corruption? Why shouldn’t the electorate be told of how the leaders would have gotten their wealth as a way of inspiring other honest citizens to equally work with their hands as a way of explicating themselves from poverty. It is unfortunate however that these wolves in sheep’s clothing would have none of such because in their hearts they know fully well that greater part of what they possess is a result of thuggery and milking of the fiscus. The number of cases that we have heard over the years of high profile scandals can only be reduced and probably eliminated if we choose as a people to expose every activity that go against the grain. It is only prudent and logical to expose such graft through naming and shaming the very people who are letting this economy down.
It is easy for the leaders to quickly point a finger to the West when there is a shortage of cash like what’s existing presently. These are the very people who blame everything and everyone as the cause of our economic ills but who funds the forex dealers who are buying and selling cash? Is it not the same people who have mastered the art of corruption so well such that they are content with the prevailing order, not that the system is beneficial to the general populace but only for the reason that there are a few individuals up there whose bellies have bulged so markedly out of eating from the table that has not been served for them. We have mastered the skill as a country of harvesting where we have not sown; I thought the Holy Book mentions that the one who doesn’t work should not eat. In Zimbabwe we have changed all that to read; “he who sleeps and assumes a political office is the rightful candidate to feast and enjoy at the expense of everyone.”
I am convinced that those in positions of influence can likewise determine the course of action that the country can take with respect to ethics, morals and legality. By fighting against the ideal principles, then there is no way our parastatals can ever be run in the best interest of all the stakeholders; like their political leaders, the executives in the organisations will choose to align their pockets first and foremost. What type of country is that, one wonders? With the parastatals and all other quasi government entities failing to embrace the best moral standards, then what would motivate those in the private sector to act right? At this rate, we will wake up one morning to realise that the country has been sold by these very people who are refusing to have a code of ethics. The reason for refusal is obviously to ensure that there is a free reign to do whatever they deem fit, with no one asking them to account for anything. With so much economic potential as Zimbabwe has, there is no way we can extricate ourselves from the pit we see ourselves in as long as we have leaders of the caliber that refuse to adopt a noble cause.
Our primary challenge lies in leaders who are not committed to embrace the change which they know fully well as having the effect of improving our well-being. It is essential for politicians to appreciate the value and be conversant with sound corporate governance principles, terminology and tools as well as fully support and actively participate in the implementation process. By actively participating in the implementation, the leaders demonstrate their commitment to the strategy. Walking the talk and not merely articulating those things they do not have full buy in for is by no chance going to help our situation. The level of commitment from the top sets the tone for the entire country. The attitude and behaviour of leaders who do not appreciate the value of governance is an informal disincentive for its implementation.
Strong leadership from the most senior level as well as demonstration of commitment through well thought out action can effectively improve governance implementation process. Clear, dependable and observable involvement of seniors as well as implementation of strategies to overcome resistance to change is critical. Such action includes persistence, the setting of reasonable but challenging expectations for everyone, communication of no tolerance to corruption message internally and externally. It can be argued that the limited political involvement in Zimbabwe’s quest to curb corruption contributed to and continues to worsen our situation; what with the type of politicians who refuse to incorporate the code of ethics as proposed?
Noah Mangwarara is a Leadership Expert & Motivational Speaker who has authored a number of inspirational and leadership books.
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