Non-negotiable, "zero corruption" focus for the new Zimbabwe

"It takes courage and character to live in honest poverty while you watch your friends get rich by fraud. Don't feel good about your attainments and wealth when you did not acquire it through hard work, but in a corrupt way."-O.O. A.Ofori Panin II

Human nature is not going to change tomorrow, so we cannot totally eliminate procurement scandals, but the nation will require combined efforts from both the public and private sectors through governance structures, whistle-blowing practices, setting the right tone at the top and so on, in order to curb corruption in government procurement.

It is up to all citizens of Zimbabwe to work together to see the birth of their nation evolve in such hard times. Many would agree that our country has turned into a 'dealers-market' where individuals bargain for every transaction and indulge in illegal activities in an effort to put food on the table and this saw the daily dilution of our ethical values as a nation. It's a pity that some officials still don't hesitate to abuse office even in the middle of a crisis. For example, the scandal with Econet funding towards the cholera outbreak should be an eye opener to the government and all other procurement regulatory bodies.

Now that Zimbabwe is open for business, it is prudent that public procurement be done fairly, transparently and at the same time realising the value for money. Both public and private entities should maximize transparency in competitive tendering and take precautionary measures to enhance integrity in order to promote fair and equitable treatment for potential suppliers. Government should create tight procurement mechanisms on oversight departmental procuring entities and the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe ("PRAZ"). All stakeholders must be educated on the value for money concept underlying public procurement systems, so that they are empowered to report any form of graft without fear.