*Zimbabwe Ranked The Most CorruptIn The Region* Zimbabwe has been ranked as the most corrupt country in the sub-region in 2024, according to Transparency International, confirming that corruption is one of the biggest problems under President Emmerson Mnangagwa's administration. Mnangagwa's association with tenderpreneur Wicknell Chivayo - minting multi-millions from lucrative state tenders and contracts on an unprecedented scale - is always cited as a notorious example of a corrupt relationship. The President denies any wrongdoing, saying Chivayo is a "philanthropist". There is a general perception that corruption has worsened under Mnangagwa's rule since 2017. With a score of 21 out of 100, Zimbabwe ranks 158th out of 180 countries globally, marking its worst performance since 2015. This ranking places the country among Africa's top 10 most corrupt nations, alongside war-torn states like Sudan, Somalia, and Libya. Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index measures corruption levels based on factors like bribery, misuse of public office, and diversion of public funds. Zimbabwe's score has been steadily declining since 2023, highlighting the need for urgent anti-corruption efforts. The country's corrupt reputation is attributed to entrenched, systemic and systematic corruption, fuelled by weak democratic institutions and widespread nepotism and cronyism. In fact, reports say Zimbabwe is losing an estimated US$$5 million to corruption every day, with the police, political parties, judiciary and the government bureaucracy being perceived as the most corrupt institutions. Diamond trade has also been marred by corruption, with at least US$1 billion in diamond-related revenue reportedly remaining unaccounted for. Only recently, a report by the Southern African Resource Watch said Zimbabwe is losing US$100 million monthly due to due to shady trading activities and illicit financial flows. Previously, it was reported that Zimb abwe was also losing a similar amount in gold revenues every month due to smuggling. As a result, Mnangagwa has been designated under the United Global Magnitsky sanctions regime, along with 10 other individuals and three entities, for their alleged involvement in corruption or serious human rights abuse. Mnangagwa was specifically cited for his involvement in alleged corrupt activities, including gold and diamond smuggling networks, and for providing a protective shield to smugglers in exchange for bribes. The sanctions also target his close associates, including his wife, Auxillia Mnangagwa, and several security officials accused of human rights abuses. Additionally, three entities, were also designated for their alleged role in facilitating state corruption. These sanctions were imposed under the Global Magnitsky programme, which targets individuals and entities responsible for human rights abuses and corruption worldwide. This move marked a shift in the US approach to sanctions on Zimbabwe, as the previous country-specific sanctions program was terminated on the same day. The US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control imposed these sanctions on 4 March 2024, as part of a broader effort to "promote accountability for corrupt and abusive networks in Zimbabwe". 🔴President Emmerson Mnangagwa (seated; second from left), with his twin sons (one seated left and the other standing) and tenderpreneur Wicknell Chivayo (sitting, right) at Bulawayo State House. *The NewsHawks* *Knowledge Is Power That Is Best Shared. Please share and follow our Citizens Movement Radio Channel using the link below* https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VafxZGK8F2pNHgZGUP1B *Knowledge Is Power That Is Best Shared. Please share and follow our Citizens Movement Radio Channel using the link below* https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VafxZGK8F2pNHgZGUP1B