HARARE (Reuters) – Zimbabwe is losing at least $1 billion annually to corruption, with police and local government officials among the worst offenders, Transparency International said in a report yesterday.
Social media groups like #ThisFlag and #Tajamuka have cited corruption in President Robert Mugabe’s government and police roadblocks where money is taken from motorists as among the main reasons for protests that have rocked the southern African nation in the last few months.
Transparency International Zimbabwe (TIZ) said the police, local councils, the vehicle inspection department that issues driving licences and the education department were among the most corrupt institutions.
“The resulting institutionalisation and systematisation of corruption in Zimbabwean political and economic spheres has been extensive,” TIZ said.
“It would be surprising if the value (of corruption) were less than $1 billion annually.”
