Corruption in Zambia and Measures to Address It
Introduction
One of the major tasks of government is to provide goods and services to the people. There are however many factors that hinder the smooth delivery of goods and services. Corruption is one of the factors. A link has been established between corruption and economic stagnation. Corruption leads to misallocation of resources meant for uplifting of the majority members of the public for the benefit of a few. It is a universal scourge that has been described differently by various schools of thought. It tends to limit citizens access to free goods and services and reduces freedom of political choice in elections. It can also be linked to the escalation of poverty, as the prevalence of corrupt practices socially excludes the poor from freely accessing public goods and services. The government recognises that the increased prevalence of corruption has negative effects on the country’s efforts to enhance socio-economic and political development. There is no universally agreed upon definition of corruption and it varies from one jurisdiction to another. However the general characteristics are similar. The legal definition of corruption in Zambia is provided by the Anti-Corruption Commission Act of Zambia, 1996, which states: “Corrupt means the soliciting, accepting, obtaining, giving, promising or offering of a gratification by way of a bribe or other personal temptation of inducement, or the misuse, or abuse of a public office for private advantage or benefit, and corruptly shall be construed accordingly.” Anti-corruption commission act (1996:5).
This essay discusses the nature and extent of corruption in both the public and private sectors in Zambia. It highlights the strategies that the authorities have been using to fight corruption.
Nature of corruption
The most common types of corruption in Zambia include petty, administrative or bureaucratic, grand and political corruption. The National Governance Baseline Survey outlines the various forms
One of the major tasks of government is to provide goods and services to the people. There are however many factors that hinder the smooth delivery of goods and services. Corruption is one of the factors. A link has been established between corruption and economic stagnation. Corruption leads to misallocation of resources meant for uplifting of the majority members of the public for the benefit of a few. It is a universal scourge that has been described differently by various schools of thought. It tends to limit citizens access to free goods and services and reduces freedom of political choice in elections. It can also be linked to the escalation of poverty, as the prevalence of corrupt practices socially excludes the poor from freely accessing public goods and services. The government recognises that the increased prevalence of corruption has negative effects on the country’s efforts to enhance socio-economic and political development. There is no universally agreed upon definition of corruption and it varies from one jurisdiction to another. However the general characteristics are similar. The legal definition of corruption in Zambia is provided by the Anti-Corruption Commission Act of Zambia, 1996, which states: “Corrupt means the soliciting, accepting, obtaining, giving, promising or offering of a gratification by way of a bribe or other personal temptation of inducement, or the misuse, or abuse of a public office for private advantage or benefit, and corruptly shall be construed accordingly.” Anti-corruption commission act (1996:5).
This essay discusses the nature and extent of corruption in both the public and private sectors in Zambia. It highlights the strategies that the authorities have been using to fight corruption.
Nature of corruption
The most common types of corruption in Zambia include petty, administrative or bureaucratic, grand and political corruption. The National Governance Baseline Survey outlines the various forms