Bulawayo Councillors Sign Anti-Corruption Integrity Pledge to Bolster Transparency

Southerton Business Times
4 days ago
2 min read

Bulawayo city councillors have officially signing an integrity pledge — Bulawayo city councillors

In a significant move toward ethical leadership, Bulawayo city councillors have officially signed an integrity pledge aimed at strengthening transparency and accountability within local governance.

The ceremony, held on Wednesday in the council chambers at City Hall, saw the city’s elected officials sign the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) Integrity Pledge. This milestone follows a period of initial resistance where some councillors in Bulawayo and Gwanda had expressed hesitation, citing a need for further consultation and a deeper understanding of the document's legal implications.

From Hesitation to Commitment

While senior management at the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) and counterparts in the Plumtree Town Council had already committed to the pledge, Bulawayo’s councillors were among the last to do so. After extensive engagements with ZACC officials, the councillors moved forward with the signing, signaling a unified front against graft in the metropolitan province.

Ethical Leadership and Vision 2030

Speaking during the ceremony, Tswagai Marovatsanga, the Director of Local Government in Bulawayo, emphasized that the pledge is rooted in Zimbabwe’s constitutional principles. She noted that public officials are mandated to uphold the highest standards of professional ethics.

“This integrity pledge is a promise that the stewards of this city will operate with integrity, transparency, accountability, and ethical fortitude,” Marovatsanga stated.

She further highlighted the link between local governance and national prosperity, noting:

Accountability: Ensuring public funds are used solely for the benefit of Bulawayo residents.
Economic Goals: Aligning local authority performance with Zimbabwe’s ambition to become an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.
Service Delivery: Building trust with citizens to ensure that development goals do not remain mere "vision on paper."

The Role of Local Authorities

The signing of the pledge is seen as a critical step as Zimbabwe moves toward implementing its next national development plan. By committing to the ZACC framework, the Bulawayo City Council aims to restore public confidence and ensure that service delivery remains the top priority for the city's leadership.