Press Release - Residents Call for Councillors to Declare Assets

Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA)

Press Release

Date:               3 October 2013

Contact:         Emmanuel Ndlovu

                        Programmes and Advocacy Manager

                        Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA)

Residents Call for Councillors to Declare Assets

Bulawayo residents under the aegis of the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) are calling upon incoming councillors to declare their assets as a means to deter corruption during their term of office. BPRA believes that it is only by declaring their assets that the new councillors can affirm their commitment to serving the residents of Bulawayo as opposed to using their positions to accrue wealth. In the past tenure of council there were allegations that some top brass councillors used their positions to acquire housing stands and assume control of shops that the local authority leases out. BPRA believes that this, together with high levels of corruption in Zimbabwean society, necessitates such far reaching mechanisms to ensure that holders of public office do not abuse their positions to enrich themselves. It will enable residents, civil society, the media and other whistleblowers to notice if any councillor abuses his/her position to enrich him/herself, serving as a deterrent for councillors who would otherwise engage in shady deals to gain wealth.

Asset declaration is a common practice for prevention of corruption in many African countries, including Nigeria where the constitution calls for the President to declare his/her assets. The United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) which has been ratified by 166 countries calls for legal frameworks for asset declaration. It is BPRA’s contention that despite the absence of such a legal framework in Zimbabwe, it is still prudent for councillors to declare their assets as a means to curtail corruption in their operations. Zimbabwe itself ratified the UNCAC and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption in 2006, however to date the country has not come up with an asset declaration legal framework that will result in officials such as ministers, Members of Parliament, senior civil servants and councillors being required by law to declare their assets. BPRA believes that it is imperative for such legislation to be put in place as a means to combat corruption that is prevalent in Zimbabwe and that leads to the needs of citizens taking the back seat while public officials plunder resources.

 

Signed

.........................................................

Mr Emmanuel Ndlovu

Programmes and Advocacy Manager

Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA)