ZimParks Director General, Professor Edson Gandiwa
BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA
Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) Director General, Professor Edson Gandiwa, has said corruption undermines conservation, erodes public confidence thereby compromising service delivery.
Prof Gandiwa added it (corruption) also threatens the sustainability of the country’s ecosystems, hence there is need for collaborated efforts to eliminate the scourge.
He was speaking on Monday during the Integrity Sensitization and Pledge Signing programme which was conducted by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) at the ZimParks Headquarters in Harare.
“So let me be very clear that corruption undermines conservation, it erodes public confidence, it compromises service delivery, it threatens the sustainability of our ecosystems.
“We cannot afford to allow unethical practices to take root in any area of our operations within us,” said Prof Gandiwa.
He added: “for instance, every permit issued, every contract signed, every patrol conducted, just to mention a few, must reflect our unwavering dedication to ethical service delivery.
“This program is therefore a call to action, a call to each of us, regardless of rank or role, to recommit ourselves to the values that elevate our institution and protect our legacy.
“Let us pledge not in words alone, but in conduct, to be champions of integrity.
“So each one of us, from today onwards, should be a champion of integrity.”
Prof Gandiwa added that ZimParks’ governance frameworks should not only be compliant with national and international standards, but should also be resilient, transparent and inclusive.
He also urged all ZimParks staff, stakeholders and partners to engage fully in the process, so as to ensure best practises, shunning corruption.
“Today’s program is not merely a procedural exercise, it is a reaffirmation of our institutional values and a collective pledge to uphold the principles that define credible public service which includes transparency, accountability, integrity and the rule of law.
“These are not just abstract ideas, they are the foundation upon which public trust is built, and the compass that might guide every decision every action and every interaction within our Authority.
“To this cause, we are pleased as ZimParks, to have officials from the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission today for this in-person session.
“I believe combatting or mitigating corruption requires a whole society and a whole of government approach.
“As custodians of Zimbabwe’s natural heritage, we are entrusted with a mandate that demands the highest ethical standards.
“Our commitment to conservation must be matched by our commitment to good governance, even if someone is not watching us.
“We must be unyielding in our stance against corruption, vigilant in identifying unethical conduct and courageous in confronting it wherever it may arise,” added Prof Gandiwa.
Tafirenyika Maringire, ZACC’S Compliance and Systems Review Manager
Tafirenyika Maringire, ZACC’s Compliance and Systems Review Manager, said they are taking the lead in championing the concept of inculcating integrity in the public and private sector, as a strategy to groom virtuous officials who can serve their country with integrity.
“Integrity is the foundation upon which all effective public service rests.
“This principle is critical in the conservation of Zimbabwe’s wildlife heritage and protection of natural resources for the benefit of our economy as a whole.
“The signing of the Integrity Pledge by Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority is an indication to the principles of transparency, accountability and ethical conduct that form the bedrock of the achievement of zero tolerance to corruption.”
He added that ZACC believes that “corruption in public institutions, most of those in wildlife and natural resources protection, is a poison that undermines the foundations of economic growth, development, social progress and the highest level of betrayal of the public trust.”
He added that ZimParks had shown that they do not condone corruption, as they fully cooperate with prevention strategies and “today’s move to embrace integrity as an institutional virtue speaks to the character and commitment of the organization.”
“The Integrity Pledge being signed today represents a powerful alignment with our mission and values.
“It demonstrates that ZimParks shares our commitment to transparency, accountability and ethical governance.
“ZimParks in a loud voice is saying corruption will find no safe haven within the authority, that ethical standards will be maintained at the highest level and that the public interest will always take precedence over personal considerations.
“To complement successful ZACC-ZimParks collaboration efforts in the fight against corruption, our partnership should extend beyond the mere coordination of cases or the sharing of information, to include supporting each other in maintaining the highest standards of integrity and professionalism,” added Maringire.
ZimParks Board Chairperson, Dr Agrippa Sora
ZimParks Board Chairperson, Dr Agrippa Sora said the session with ZACC reflected a shared commitment to strengthening the ethical foundation upon which ZimParks must continue to operate.
“We have been reminded today that good governance is not a theoretical aspiration.
“It is a daily discipline, it is the quiet courage to act with integrity when no one is watching, the resolve to uphold transparency.
“Even when expedience tempts otherwise, we are unwavering in that accountability is not optional, but essential.
“Let us be clear, corruption is not merely a legal infraction, it is a betrayal of public trust and a threat to the sustainability of our conservation mission.
“As stewards of Zimbabwe’s protected areas, we must lead by example. We must ensure that every decision, every transaction and every service rendered is guided by ethical clarity,” said Dr Sora.
Members of the ZimParks Board and several senior staff attended the session and signed the pledges.
