Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga has issued a strong warning to corrupt businesspeople and “phantom entrepreneurs” who are undermining Zimbabwe’s economic integrity, stating that their days are numbered. This marks the second time in recent months that Chiwenga has turned up the heat on graft, signalling a renewed focus on combating corruption within the country.
Addressing the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) annual congress in Victoria Falls, Chiwenga questioned the source of wealth of “tenderpreneurs,” a derogatory term for corrupt Zanu PF-connected businesspersons, also known as “zvigananda.”
“We must shun unscrupulous so-called businesspeople operating from briefcases with no traceable capital or legitimate enterprise,” Chiwenga stated in his address.
Without naming specific individuals, Chiwenga criticised the culture of unexplained wealth. “This culture of phantom entrepreneurship, where money appears without any known source, is not only economically corrosive but ethically bankrupt. We all know that money does not fall from the heavens like manna,” he said.
He emphasised that legitimate businesses are built on hard work and ethical practices. “Real businesses are built through hard work, discipline, sacrifice and value creation. The day of reckoning is inevitable for those who undermine our economic integrity by engaging in shadowy dealings.”
Chiwenga reiterated the need to shun corruption in all its forms. “Let us not mortgage our nation’s future to fleeting gain,” he said. “Equally imperative to this shared national and developmental vision is our collective stance on integrity and accountability. As we deepen public-private partnerships and catalyse economic growth, we must decisively shun corruption in all its forms. There can be no room for rent-seeking behaviour or muddy practices in a modern, competitive economy.”
He urged businesses to uphold ethics, transparency, and corporate governance. “These values are not optional —they are essential to investor confidence, institutional trust and long-term national prosperity,” he said. “Our success lies in unlocking policy-driven growth, fostering inclusive partnerships and embedding a culture of professionalism, transparency, productivity and excellence.”
This year’s ZNCC congress ran on the theme Unlocking Business Potential Through Policy, Partnerships and Productivity. The event is a major gathering of business leaders, industry experts, policymakers and entrepreneurs.
Chiwenga’s renewed focus on corruption comes as Zimbabwe continues to struggle with the issue. Corruption has been on the increase, plummeting to an all-time low, worsening to unprecedented levels since 2016, as the country continues to lose billions to graft and impunity.
According to the results of the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index released in February, Zimbabwe scored 21 points out of a possible 100, down from 24 points in 2023, highlighting a decline in transparency and accountability. Zimbabwe performed below the sub-Saharan average score of 33 and the global average of CPI of 43. The highest Zimbabwe has scored since 2016 is 24.
The Vice-President’s strong words serve as a warning to those engaging in corrupt practices and a signal that the government is taking steps to address the issue. However, it remains to be seen whether these words will translate into concrete action and a tangible reduction in corruption levels across the country.
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