Zimbabwe’s liberation war wasn’t fought to enrich a few plunderers— says defiant Chiwenga as he flags corruption….again
ACTING President Constantino Chiwenga yesterday revived his anti-corruption crusade challenging Zimbabwe’s leaders to reflect on whether they are building a legacy of sacrifice or one of plunder, and warning that the liberation struggle was never fought to enrich a privileged few while the majority sink deeper into poverty.
Addressing mourners during at the burial of late Brigadier General Mathias Tizirai Ngarava, at the National Heroes Acre, Chiwenga said the country risked betraying the sacrifices of fallen liberation fighters if ethical leadership and clean governance were not urgently entrenched.
He questioned the kind of legacy being created by today’s leaders, asking whether it was one of patriotic service or one of plunder.
“The liberation struggle was not waged so that a few could prosper while many remain in abject poverty.
“It was fought so that every Zimbabwean could walk in dignity and economically empowered.
“Our duty is not to merely honour their memory – it is to implement their vision through ethical leadership, clean governance, unity of purpose and economic transformation.
“What legacy are we creating, one of sacrifice, patriotic service and national purpose or one of plunder?
Chiwenga said honouring fallen heroes required more than ceremonial funerals, saying that the true measure of respect lay in the quality of governance and leadership the country delivers.
He warned against self-enrichment and abuse of public office, saying ethical leadership, unity of purpose and economic transformation were central to fulfilling the vision of liberation war veterans.
Turning to the economy, the Acting President also said Zimbabwe can only achieve accelerated growth if corruption was decisively defeated and ethical leadership entrenched at all levels of government.
“Realising our vision of becoming an Upper Middle-Income society by 2030 hinges on our collective commitment to ethical behaviour and rejection of selfish enrichment practices.
“Our focus must be on industrialisation, value addition and inclusive growth.
“We must remain steadfast in our efforts to transform the economy, generate quality jobs and enhance the livelihoods of our citizens,” Chiwenga added.
Chiwenga has repeatedly used public events to speak out against corruption, a position that has made him stand out in a political environment where such promises are rarely matched by action.
*NewZimbabwe*
