By Zim GBC News Reporter
HARARE – Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga has once again issued a stern warning to corrupt individuals exploiting political connections for personal gain, known as zvigananda, promising a “day of reckoning.” However, the continued absence of high-profile arrests is fueling public skepticism and accusations that the government’s anti-graft drive is more talk than action.
Speaking at a public event this week, VP Chiwenga unleashed a barrage of condemnation against the corrupt, labelling them a menace to the nation’s development.
“The zvigananda are a cancer that we must cut out. They are tormenting our people and stealing our future. There will be a day of reckoning for those who think they are untouchable,” Chiwenga declared, echoing similar promises he made in June.
Despite the strong rhetoric, no major arrests or prosecutions of high-profile figures have followed these repeated warnings. This gap between word and deed is leading to growing frustration among citizens who bear the daily brunt of corruption.
“This is why Chiwenga’s repeated threats now risk sounding like a public relations script rather than the voice of a leader intent on delivering justice,” a recent editorial noted.
“The louder the speeches grow, the more obvious the silence of real action becomes.”
Corruption analysts argue that the phenomenon of zvigananda has dire consequences, diverting essential funds from schools, hospitals, and infrastructure, deepening poverty, and crushing the hopes of young Zimbabweans.
“Empty threats only embolden them further, reinforcing their belief that they are untouchable,” the analysis continued.
“Meanwhile, citizens bear the brunt of their greed — soaring poverty, collapsing services, and the suffocating sense that merit and honesty no longer matter.”
Calls are mounting for institutional reforms to empower anti-corruption bodies like the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to operate free from political interference.
“Zimbabwe does not need more threats — it needs handcuffs, convictions, and recovered wealth. Until words turn into justice, the zvigananda will keep laughing all the way to the bank,” the editorial concluded.
As the public awaits tangible action, the pressure is on for the administration to match its strong words with even stronger, unequivocal deeds.
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