Describe corruption
Corruption is the giving of money, valuables or rendering of a service to someone in return for a favour. It
involves the abuse of public office and public resources for personal gain.
Discuss types of corruption
There are different forms of corruption and these include;
– Payment in kind
– Cash payments and receipt
– Commissions
– Kick back
– Loans and advances
Three Categories (types) of corruption are
-Petty corruption- this involves small payments. These payments are called bribes, commonly
known as nchekelako (ndishamo) or give me a share as well. It is the widely practiced corruption at
road blocks.
-Grand corruption- this involves huge amounts of money. It is usually practiced by high ranking
officials or institutions. For example, payment made for favours in awarding government contracts,
public appointments or privatization of government owned by assets or companies.
– Political corruption- this type of corruption is associated with the electoral process. It is usually
practiced by those contesting for political power, for example;
– Donation of money to influence the voter‟s choice.
-Cash or material distribution to influence voters during election period.
– Provision of beer to influence voter‟s choice.
– Provision of services such as electricity, water supply and road maintenance at a time of
election.
Explain the causes of corruption
They are grouped into two main categories, these are;
- Social causes- such as
– Leaders in key positions are not capable of inspiring and influencing conduct of the highest
moral standards.
– Personal greedy and dishonesty
– Weak enforcement or absence of code of conduct.
– Punishment for offenders is weak.
– High poverty levels
– Large numbers of people compete for insufficient services like few school places. - Economic causes
-Shortage of goods and services.
– Unequal distribution of wealth and resources.
– Allocation of government loans and giving of tenders to some preferred individuals at the
exclusion of others.
– Low salaries and wages in comparison to the cost of living.
Other causes of corruption and related crimes are;
– Unnecessary long procedures (red-tape)- some procedures that officers are expected to
follow in work places may take too long making officers to take advantage of such delays
to demand kick-backs for fast action.
-Lack of political will- some government lack political will to deal with corruption
– Lack of transparency and association- if the government lacks checks and balances, there
is mismanagement and misuse of public funds.
– Abuse of power- when there is too much concentration of power in the hands of an
individual, he/she may hinder proper investigation of corrupt practices.
– Lack of independent judiciary- as a result courts may not act independently on matters of
corruption if they are influenced by outside forces from the Executive.
– Public reaction- how the public views corruption plays an important role in fighting
corruption.
– Lack of press freedom- the media plays a vital role in exposing cases of corruption.
Explain the effects of corruption.
– It makes those involved in it become rich at the expense of other citizens.
– Enables those who pay bribes to benefit in areas which without corruption they would not.
– Causes widespread bitterness among those who cannot pay or refuse to pay for favours
when they see those who pay bribes being favoured.
– Distorts standards because it enables those without expertise to win contracts.
-Interferes with the enforcement of the law and respect for the rule of law.
-Perpetuates human suffering through increasing poverty level of poor citizens.
Impact of corruption on the Zambian society
– Law enforcement agencies: citizens may take the law in their own hands (vendettas and instance
justice) if the law enforcers are perceived to be compromised through corruption.
-Judicial system: Court records go missing in the courts of law. Outcomes in the justice system do
not depend on availability of evidence but amounts of bribes offered. Justice is denied to the poor.
– The Electoral system: Due to Electoral malpractice, outcomes of the elections do not reflect the
decisions of the voters but the corrupt. In turn ushering into office people who are incompetent and
corrupt.
– Security of the nation: Due to corruption, foreigners acquire documents of National identity such
as passports and National Registration Cards (NRCs) that endanger the lives of many Zambians.
-The Economy: Mostly witnessed through money laundering activities, tax evasion and tax
exemptions leading to economic instability hence pushing the general populace into abject poverty.
-The Education system; Due to examination malpractices and conniving with enrolling officers at
Higher Institutions of Learning, undeserving candidates get admitted with fake qualifications.
Additionally, due to corruption in the training process, graduates are half-baked and cannot meet
the demands of their jobs leading to under development.
– Land Administration; only those who are financially capable and connected to land
administrators acquire land. This has led to landlessness among many Zambians.
– Procurement of goods and services: Awarding of contracts in the procurement of goods and
services and contracts in general is in most cases marred by corruption. This has led to shoddy
works and shortages of goods and services in public institutions.
State institutions that fight against corruption in Zambia
- Anti -Corruption Commission (ACC)
- It has a slogan “promote integrity, say no to corruption,” which enshrines the general fight
against corruption.
– They encourage everyone to join the fight by reporting any corrupt practices seen to the
commission.
Methods used by the ACC in the fight against corruption:
– Prevention- by undertaking necessary and effective measures to prevent corruption in public and
private sectors.
-It also make sure that any work, methods or procedures prone to corruption are revised
– To do this, there is a Commission Prevention Department (CPD) which conducts managerial
accountability workshops in both public and private sectors to set standards for accountability
within the institutions.
– Community education- the community is educated on matters relating to corruption such as
dangers and effects of corruption. This is done through the Commission‟s Community
Relations Department (CRD).
-The department uses radio and television programmes, public lectures, workshops and many
more.
– Investigations and prosecution- these are involved in investigating complaints of
suspected corrupt practices and if evidence is found, prosecution follows.
- Zambia National Procurement (ZNPA)
– This was formed to control the procurement and regulate the goods and services by the
government ministries, departments and parastatal organizations.
– It fights corruption by ensuring that the procedures in the procurement system are done in a
transparent/accountable manner. - Parliament
– Its major role is to make laws but it also refuses to sign appointments and promotions of corrupt
public officials including those in the Judiciary.
– It analyses the Auditor General‟s report with regard to appropriation (expenditure) of funds by
various spending agencies. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is charged with this
responsibility. - Auditor General’s Office
– Its major responsibility is to ensure that public funds allocated by the parliament are used for
the intended purpose.
– It also audits accounts relating to the general revenue of the country and the expenditure of
monies apportioned by parliament.
-It also audits the Judicature, accounts relating to stock and stores of government and accounts
of state-owned enterprise and corporation. - Investigator General’s Office (Ombudsman)
-The IGO carries out investigations on a wide variety of complaints which include corruption
cases. - Anti-Money Laundering Unit (AMLU) of the DEC
-The Act provides for the disclosure of information on the suspected personnel involved on
money laundering activities
Civil Society fighting corruption include-
– Transparency International Zambia (TIZ)
– National Movement Against Corruption (NAMAC)
-The media
– Foundation For Democratic Process (FODEP)
Identify the role of public officers, community and the youth in fighting corruption
Individuals and groups can participate in the fight against corruption by:-
– Changing attitudes from tolerance to total rejection of corruption.
– Accessing information on procedures of how to deal with corruption cases.
– Reporting corrupt officers to institutions such as the Zambia Police, TIZ and ACC.
-Supporting organizations that are fighting corruption.
-Demanding integrity and high sense of morality for public office bearers.
– Encouraging and supporting free press.
– Taking responsibility for one‟s actions
