Corruption as an Obstacle to Socio-Economic and Political Justice in Zimbabwe

Introduction

Corruption has long been seen as the greatest obstacle to economic success in Zimbabwe. All attempts at socioeconomic and political justice in Zimbabwe have been thwarted by corruption. The judiciary's reluctance to impose just punishment on corrupt officials is more evidence of the shrinkage of the democratic space. This chapter examines instances of corruption that have been reported but not properly investigated in Zimbabwe, which has led to a decline in socioeconomic and political justice.

International organisations like the United Nations and the European Union blame the Zimbabwean government for poor governance, political polarisation and corruption that led to hyperinflation (Bratton & Masunungure 2008; Hanke 2008; Makochekanwa 2016:1250-1260; Maunganidze et al 2021:2). In 2011, the United States listed Zimbabwe as the sixth failed state in the world and the ruling elites blame sanctions from the western countries. This research acknowledges that Zimbabwe has been facing a socio-economic and political crisis that has led to hopelessness, even after independence. A nation's progress is hampered by corruption at the expense of individual interests. Although Zimbabwe's issues are multifaceted, corruption is the main barrier to economic liberation (Mutanda 2014:1). The main culprits of corruption have been fingered as the political players at the expense of the majority citizenry. Zimbabwean economy has been under years of depression since independence in 1980.

It may not be appropriate to attribute sanctions as a major factor in the decline of the Zimbabwean economy. Although sanctions were applied on selected political leaders and institutions in 2002, corruption existed long before that (Matanda 2014:3). So, it is reasonable to consider corruption as one key factor in the current development impasse (Marango 2018:57). Particularly since corruption shrunk the democratic space for the Zimbabwean populous. Corruption therefore is the final nail in the coffin, even though sanctions are one of the economic huddles.

In Zimbabwe, family fragmentation and poverty appear to have taken the place of ambitions for a decent life (Wini-Dari and Damauswa 2016:154; Bonga, Chiminya, and Mudzingiri 2015:11). Despite all promises for economic liberation that were inspired by the achievement of political freedom, they have all been dashed. Due primarily to corruption, the country experienced economic stagnation and regression (Masango 2016). Corruption has dominated all sectors of society with the political players as the main culprits. According to Bonga, Chiminya, and Mudzingiri (2015:11), corruption "explodes and harms the economy." All efforts of economic recovery are futile as the justice and democratic system is manipulated for individual gains over against the majority of Zimbabweans. Thus, one significant barrier to economic growth is corruption.

Several variables, such as the struggle for power politics of political patronage, political violence, and the emergence of special interest groups like women in politics, Youth Action Groups, and indigenous Business Groups, are mentioned by Muzurura (2016:3) as having fostered an increase in corruption. Gaining political influence through economic monopolisation by the ruling elites is at the heart of all these elements.