President Emmerson Mnangagwa has once again spoken about fighting corruption in Zimbabwe. This time, he focused on the country’s 92 local authorities, saying they are full of corruption and must be cleaned up. He made these comments during the Zimbabwe Local Government Association Annual Indaba in Harare.
In his speech, Mnangagwa said, “Those doing such acts must face the full wrath of our country’s law. No one, including Local Authorities, will be spared. Let us root out this menace from our society.” The words were strong. But many Zimbabweans have heard these kinds of statements before. The real question is — does he mean it this time?
Corruption in Zimbabwe is nothing new. It has been around for many years. Leaders come and go, but corruption stays. Under Mnangagwa’s leadership, many people believe it has even gotten worse. His close allies, top officials, and business friends are often accused of stealing from the country. Yet most of them are never arrested. They live freely and enjoy their wealth, while ordinary Zimbabweans suffer.
That is why many people no longer believe what Mnangagwa says about corruption. They feel he is just making speeches. They want real action. They want to see people being arrested and punished — even if they are powerful or close to the president.
The truth is, corruption in local authorities affects every part of people’s daily lives. When council officials steal money, services collapse. Roads are full of potholes. Water taps are dry. Rubbish is not collected. Electricity is unreliable. People are paying rates and taxes, but they see no results. Instead, they see luxury cars and mansions owned by council leaders.
Mnangagwa’s own government is also full of scandals. From gold smuggling to inflated contracts, the signs are everywhere. Some of the worst corruption cases have been linked to people in his inner circle. Yet they are protected by their political connections. It is clear that the fight against corruption is not fair. The powerful are treated differently from the poor.
Many Zimbabweans now believe that corruption is not just a problem — it is part of the system. It starts at the top and spreads down. And if the top is not clean, how can the rest of the country change?
That is why people are tired of hearing the same words. They want something to happen. They want to see big names being held accountable. They want real investigations, real arrests, and real jail time for those who steal from the people.
Until that happens, speeches like the one Mnangagwa gave in Harare will mean nothing. Zimbabweans are no longer fooled by fancy words and big promises. They want honesty. They want justice. They want leadership that puts the people first — not just speeches to cover up failure.
Corruption is like a slow poison. It weakens the country, hurts the economy, and kills trust. Zimbabwe cannot move forward if corruption continues to rule. If Mnangagwa is serious about fixing it, he must start with those closest to him. He must show that no one is above the law.
The people are watching. The clock is ticking. And they are asking the same question they have asked before: will Mnangagwa finally act — or will it be more of the same? Only time will tell. But for now, Zimbabwe waits, and hope continues to fade.