Sekai Manyere-Herald Reporter
THE Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency must continue upholding the highest standards of integrity in handling national data and avoid corrupt practices that could mislead the nation, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission has said.
Speaking at an integrity pledge-signing ceremony in Harare, ZACC Manager for Compliance, Systems and Process Review, Mr Tinei Majada, emphasised that preventing corruption was far more effective than investigating systemic financial crimes after institutional damage had already occurred.
The signing framework aligns with the National Anti-Corruption Strategy and the Government’s broader mandate to eliminate white-collar crime across public institutions and enterprises.
“Prevention of corruption is always more effective than investigating after the harm is already done,” said Mr Majada. “By signing this pledge, we are not just performing a routine bureaucratic task, but making a solemn public commitment.”
Under the newly signed accord, signatories committed themselves to refusing bribes, resisting the abuse of public office for personal gain, reporting systemic vulnerabilities and rejecting unethical conduct.
“The strategic role of ZimStat as the sole custodian of Zimbabwe’s national data is critical,” Mr Majada said. “Its statistics guide national budgeting, corporate investment and socio-economic planning.
“If data processes are compromised by corruption, the entire nation could be misled.”
ZimStat Director-General Mrs Tafadzwa Bandama said the agency would immediately cascade the integrity pledge to regional and provincial staff members to ensure national statistics remain transparent and professionally verified.
“It is a significant milestone for ZimStat that senior management has signed these integrity pledges,” said Mrs Bandama. “As we embrace integrity in our day-to-day duties in producing statistics needed for decision-making and policy formulation, we want to ensure that information used for development planning is produced with integrity, transparency and professionalism.”
The move follows a comprehensive anti-corruption training programme and marks the first time ZimStat officials have signed a formal integrity pledge.
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