AudiencScapes

A group of journalists is banding together to tackle corruption at all levels of Zimbabwean society. They are employing social media both to discourage Zimbabweans from engaging in corrupt behavior and to report it when they see it.

Harare – The corruption in Zimbabwe’s government is not news. In an annual global index that ranks countries according to how corrupt their public sector is, Zimbabwe has consistently ranked in the bottom. What’s new is an ambitious campaign started by young journalists to expose and confront the rampant corruption in their country.

Corruption in Zimbabwe is not limited to incidents involving government officials, like the investigation of the current attorney general. Recent scandals from the business sector include allegations of fraud that led to the closing of a dozen banks and charges of embezzlement against a major airline executive. Petty acts of corruption – a citizen paying a policeman to avoid being arrested for driving a vehicle that is not roadworthy – are also common.

The new group formed to challenge such unethical and illegal activity calls itself the Youth Alliance Against Corruption (YAAC). The nongovernmental organization was founded by journalists and other anti-corruption activists who are under 35. YAAC wants to challenge corruption across the board, both by public officials and by private citizens.

“The kind of corruption that we will confront cuts across a great divide, as it covers corruption by government officials in how they do public business to corporate corruption -- for example in the awarding of tenders – and contracts and also covers corruption at the individual level,” explains Terry Mutsvanga, who spearheaded YAAC along with fellow freelance journalist Jeffrey Moyo.

Whistleblowers Wanted

The group hopes to make it easier and safer for Zimbabweans to come forward and report incidents of corruption. Using the media and social networking technologies, YAAC will encourage citizens to resist engaging in corruption and blow the whistle when they see it. Any reports of corruption received by YAAC will be shared with the appropriate authorities, protecting the original source.

“We want to take the fight against corruption to the youth,” Mutsvanga told AudienceScapes. “We will utilize social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter to inform Zimbabwe’s youths about the dangers of corruption and to encourage them to desist from corruption.”

YAAC, other members said, is bringing a new approach to the fight against corruption, with a view of confronting corruption through diplomatic ways.

“We will publish a monthly newsletter which will be free of charge because we are aware that people have to access information about the dangers of corruption and we also have to effectively campaign against corruption, be it in government, at companies or any other place,” said Moyo.

In addition to using ICTs and the monthly bulletin, YAAC will also have a “highly dynamic, interactive and effective website” which will encourage debate about corruption in Zimbabwe. YAAC will also hold seminars, purchase anti-corruption advertisements in the media and fund schools and college competitions highlighting the dangers of corruption.

Bringing Corruption Out of the Shadows

Transparency International, the NGO that publishes the annual list of corrupt countries, most recently put Zimbabwe in a dismal 134th place out of 178 countries. Given the deep-seated corruption in Zimbabwe’s government and other sectors, one might ask how a group of citizens can hope to have any impact on the problem.

The challenge is compounded by the fact that free speech is still very limited in the country and speaking out against corruption in government can carry serious consequences. What YAAC may be most successful in accomplishing, however, is raising awareness of the extent of corruption. By shining a light on corruption, YAAC seeks to break the tradition of silence on the subject and set a precedent where people openly debate the problem.

Jeffrey Kasirori, a commentator on Zimbabwean economic and political developments, believes that a group running a campaign against corruption is a useful first step in eliminating the problem.

"Corruption is so rife and deep rooted in Zimbabwe that any attempt to tackle it will meet resistance in the initial stages but with the right approach -- especially at levels such as schools, colleges and training institutes -- a corruption-free culture is possible to instill in young citizens,” said Kasirori. “It’s difficult, but possible, with time, and there is also need for a multi-sectoral approach whereby the government, development partners and business organizations also come on board and support such an initiative."

Early Accomplishments

Since being established a few months ago, YAAC has already started making a difference – talking about the scourge of corruption when no one else is. Earlier this month, the group was successful in getting media coverage for recent instances of corruption. As reported by the ZimDaily website, members of YAAC met with Willis Madzimure, a Zimbabwean parliamentarian and also a member of the African Parliamentary Network Against Corruption, to discuss the serious levels of corruption in Zimbabwe. Madzimure is quoted castigating state media journalists for accepting bribes from Zanu PF politicians to cover up corruption cases by not reporting them.

Tawanda Karombo
Tawanda Karombo is a freelance journalist living in Zimbabwe. He has had experience with Financial, Business and Communication Reporting.

Civil Society Groups Condemn Zimbabwe’s Stranglehold on Broadcasting
Zimbabwe Media Professionals Lament Sliding Standards
Mugabe Told to Reform Media Before Holding Elections
Newly Licensed, Zimbabwe's Newspapers Struggle to Operate