By Meshia Mambo
Zimbabwe’s fight against corruption will remain ineffective unless citizens confront unethical behaviour in their daily lives, according to academic and governance commentator Lawrence Makamanzi, who says the country’s corruption crisis extends far beyond public institutions.
Writing in an opinion article, Makamanzi argued that corruption had become embedded in society, with seemingly minor acts of dishonesty helping to normalise unethical conduct across generations.
He said the country’s poor performance on Transparency International’s 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index should serve as a wake-up call for both government and citizens.
Makamanzi said Zimbabwe’s score of 21 out of 100 and ranking of 158th out of 180 countries reflected deeper governance and social challenges.
“The issue of corruption in Zimbabwe cannot be viewed solely as a government problem. It is a societal disease that has penetrated deeply into the moral fabric of our homes, schools, workplaces and communities,” he wrote.
He argued that corruption often begins with everyday actions, such as bribing law enforcement officers or manipulating systems for personal gain, warning that children who witness such behaviour may grow up believing dishonesty is acceptable.
Makamanzi said rebuilding integrity required a shift in values beginning within families, schools and communities rather than relying solely on law enforcement agencies.
“The fight against corruption cannot be outsourced to government commissions or political leaders alone. Every parent must act as a moral mentor, every teacher as a guardian of ethical learning, every religious leader as a voice of moral awakening,” he said.
The academic also called for ethics and civic responsibility to be integrated into the education system from an early age, arguing that academic achievement should be matched by strong moral values.
He urged policymakers to strengthen transparency in public procurement, ensure oversight institutions are independent and consistently enforce accountability regardless of a person’s status.
Makamanzi further warned against celebrating wealth acquired through questionable means, saying such attitudes weaken society’s moral foundation and perpetuate corruption.
His remarks come amid continued debate over corruption in Zimbabwe, with analysts and civic organisations calling for stronger institutions, greater transparency and consistent enforcement of anti-corruption laws to improve governance and public trust.
