On this World Anti-Corruption Day, Zimbabwe observes a leadership dedicated to decisive action. The recent dismissal of the Minister of Mines and Mining Development by His Excellency, President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, powerfully reaffirms an administration committed to accountability and the eradication of graft. This move stands as a pivotal example of a sustained, principled campaign aligned with the nation’s strategic vision, particularly the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2).

Leadership Through Action: The Message is loud and Clear

The removal of a senior minister from a key economic portfolio sends an unambiguous message: integrity in public office is non-negotiable. This decision underscores a zero-tolerance policy where no individual is above the law or the national interest. It directly addresses the call from citizens for transparent management of the nation’s mineral wealth, demonstrating that the government is responsive and that breaches of public trust will have concrete consequences. This action is further amplified by the recent conviction of businessmen Moses Mpofu and Mike Chimombe for defrauding a $7.7 million presidential goat scheme, proving that the fight against corruption extends decisively to those who would steal from the state and its people.

The Strategic Foundation: NDS2, Governance, and the President’s Directive

President Mnangagwa’s actions are deeply embedded within Zimbabwe’s formal development architecture. The National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), the country’s economic blueprint launched to guide the period from 2026 to 2030, explicitly identifies good governance and the anti-corruption fight as critical enablers for national progress. In his address, the President placed this fight at the core of the nation’s future, declaring that “the fight against corruption across all sectors, will continue unabated”.

He firmly stated that for the NDS2 to succeed, “the Strategy must entrench and deepen transparency, and accountability”, identifying these values alongside unity and peace as the “required solid foundation” for national development. The decisive step regarding the Mines Ministry and the successful prosecution of high-profile fraud cases are direct operationalizations of this presidential directive, transforming high-level strategy into tangible accountability.

This anti-corruption drive is central to achieving NDS2’s overarching objectives, which the President outlined as including the imperative to “strengthen governance and security institutions to consolidate the prevailing unity, peace and social cohesion”.

Upholding the National Philosophy

This firm stance breathes life into the national philosophy championed by President Mnangagwa’s mantra: “Nyika inovakwa, igotongwa, igonamatigwa nevene vayo” “ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, liphinde lithandazelwe ngabanikazi balo,” – a nation is built, governed, and cherished by its own people. A prosperous nation cannot be constructed on a foundation of mismanagement and opacity. By demanding accountability—from ministers to businessmen—the President is safeguarding the nation’s assets for its people, ensuring that the fruits of development are shared justly and that national construction proceeds with integrity.

The President has rallied “all the people of our motherland, Zimbabwe” to unite behind the transformative NDS2. Such decisive actions against corruption provide the essential ethical leadership and clarity required to inspire this national unity and collective effort toward a common goal.

A Comprehensive Framework for Integrity

The President’s unwavering message is supported by institutional efforts to systemically combat graft. The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) is currently developing its Second National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS2) through nationwide consultations, aiming to build a comprehensive, society-owned framework to tackle corruption. This parallel track of institutional strengthening and legal reform complements the decisive executive actions taken by the President, creating a multi-faceted approach to restoring integrity.

Conclusion

On this globally recognized day, President Mnangagwa’s leadership, as powerfully articulated in his speech and demonstrated through action, offers a compelling model of commitment. The dismissal of a minister and the conviction of fraudsters like Mpofu and Chimombe are robust reaffirmations of the principles he espoused: that the fight against corruption will continue without pause and that transparency is the non-negotiable foundation of national development. It signals to all—citizens and the international community alike—that under President Mnangagwa’s stewardship, Zimbabwe is steadfast in cultivating a culture of integrity, serving as the indispensable foundation for the prosperous and inclusive future envisioned for all Zimbabweans.