Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) chairperson Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo has accused the private sector of abetting corruption in the country.
In an interview with Business Weekly on Thursday, Matanda-Moyo insisted that the private sector is “very guilty” of corruption in Zimbabwe. She said:
What is apparent is that corruption is not only rife in the public sector, it’s also rife in the private sector because when you look at bribes, the ones who are offering bribes are from the private sector.
They also bribe the public sector, taking advantage that public service salaries are low.
You look for something which is bought in South Africa for R5, that thing is sold here in Zimbabwe for US$100 and you wonder what pricing system is being used.
When you look at that person who is selling for US$100, the person has not even declared that product to the customs, the person has not paid duty …and you go to ZIMRA (Zimbabwe Revenue Authority) again, those companies are not paying taxes.
So, the private sector is the one that is very guilty of corruption in this country.
Matanda-Moyo said there is a need for Government departments and parastatals to tighten procurement systems.
She said the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act should be tightened.
Last month, it emerged that Parliament had approved the purchase of laptops for US$9 000 for each gadget.
The laptop tender had been awarded to Blinart Investments, a private company believed to be owned by a Harare businesswoman, Elizabeth Muchenje.
The tender was, however, revoked by Treasury.