Traditional leaders and councillors in Hurungwe have been challenged to commit to the integrity pledge aimed at supporting development in communities.
The call was made by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc)commissioner Michael Dennis Santu during a two-day training workshop in Magunje on Thursday last week saying traditional leaders are principal custodians of cultural and traditional values, ethics and principles that enhance the social fabric.
Santu, who is the chairperson of the Zacc investigation committee, said the integrity pledge was a social contract through which a signatory announces his or her commitment to act against corruption.
“It is a public commitment to act honestly and openly in life in order to promote transparency, accountability and ethical principles and practices.
“Acting against corruption may involve among other actions, behaving with probity and upholding the rule of law in all life situations; shunning the taking or offering of bribes as public officers; performing all assigned tasks in an honest and transparent manner; living an exemplary lifestyle of exhibiting integrity in personal manner and reporting any forms and incidents of corruption to Zacc and other anti-corruption bodies in the country,” he said.
Santu called on Zimbabweans to uphold the constitutional values of good corporate governance, transparency and accountability that underpin integrity.
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“Accordingly, in order to mitigate and eliminate the risk of corruption, Hurungwe Rural District Council (RDC) is expected to operate in conformance with good corporate governance principles which call for a clear separation of functions and roles between councillors and the council secretariat.
“I would like to urge all councillors and council officers to be fully aware of their lane of operation in order to foster good corporate governance, transparency and accountability that will translate to effective and efficient service delivery,” he said.
Chief Abel Mbasera Chundu and acting Chief Elias Dendera signed the pledge committing to uphold traditional leadership anchored on honesty and unwavering cultural values.
Zaac general manager in charge of prevention and corporate governance Clara Nyakoto emphasised the need of understanding each other’s roles.
“Policymakers have an oversight role on council business and must formulate policies that help on sustainable development agenda. Resolutions are the cornerstone of good governance but it must not be for personal gain.
“The social wellbeing of our leaders can help in building trust in our communities and lure investors thereby adding to national economic growth,” she said.
Hurungwe RDC chairperson Mary Mliswa-Chikoka said the integrity workshop helped to enlighten policymakers and officials on how to discharge their duties effectively.
“As public officers we make a commitment that we will lead by example on honesty so that our integrity is not questioned by both the communities that we lead and stakeholders alike,” she said.