Public service ethics in Zimbabwe: A reflective perspective

Abstract

In Zimbabwe, unethical practices have been on the increase recently. They take many
forms including corruption, bribery, nepotism and theft, conflict of interests, and the use and
abuse of confidential information for personal purposes. Allegations of wrongdoing by both the
policymaking authorities and the administrative authorities are prevalent in the multilevel
government system comprising national government, provincial and metropolitan councils and
local government (divided into rural councils and urban councils). Unethical practices are
eroding public trust in the three-tier system of government and adversely affecting
implementation of policies, including those meant to address local development as well as
facilitate basic service delivery. In addressing unethical conduct, more effort appears to have
been placed on proposals such as the courts of law, free press and government reform. While
the emphasis is a step in the right direction, it appears to have facilitated the exclusion of other
options to tackle the problem. Consequently, this article places the promotion of an ethical
organisational culture at the center of a successful strategy to enhance ethics and integrity in
Zimbabwe’s seemingly ailing public service institutions.