Corruption is so entrenched   in Zimbabwe that young people prefer to become “dealers” instead of doctors or engineers says Monica Mutsvangwa as husband is expelled from Parliament

Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, wife of war veterans leader Christopher Mutsvangwa, yesterday asked legislators to be serious about curbing corruption because Zimbabwe’s youths now preferred to become “dealers” than to become doctors, engineers or pilots because corruption seemed to be pay better.

She said this as her husband was being expelled from the lower House, though he was not present.

Christopher Mutsvangwa was first expelled from the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front for bringing the party into disrepute. He was defiant in refusing to recognise the First Lady as a political power house that deserved slogans honouring her.

He was expelled from Parliament yesterday declaring his Norton seat vacant.

Both husband and wife were initially suspended from the party but Monica was spared from expulsion.

“To demonstrate how corruption is now deeply entrenched in our mental faculties, young children do not want to study medicine, engineering or being a pilot but they want to be a ‘dealer.’  Commuter omnibus drivers, bribe cops in broad day light.  What are we teaching our children as mothers and fathers?  What are we teaching them to become when they grow up as leaders?” she asked. 

“We applaud one of the Vice Presidents of the country who was on record saying, it is high time we walk the talk on corruption and ensure that those who are on the wrong side of the law are ruthlessly punished irrespective of their position or standing in society. There should not be any sacred cows when it comes to corruption.”

Mutsvangwa said Zimbabwe was rich and would not be struggling as it is today if people addressed corruption.

“ZIMRA Chair of the board is on record saying eliminating corruption could easily increase revenue threefold.  Meaning that, if that is the case, then our National Budget could have been around US$12 billion. Then we could have fully bankrolled ZIM-ASSET within the three years, but because of corruption, we are stuck.”

The government is indeed stuck as it has failed once again to pay civil servants on time.

Political activists have taken advantage of this as the government is now the largest formal sector employer.

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