Harare, (New Ziana) -Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor John Mushayavanhu and his senior staff on Tuesday signed integrity pledges that the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) is spearheading.
Mushayavanhu said the signing of the integrity pledges was important in reinforcing the message of zero tolerance to corruption as is the mantra of the Second Republic led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
“As a central bank we are responsible for many important decisions in this country and it is important that as officials, we leave by that virtue of integrity and this is why we have signed this today,” he said, adding it was not just about signing, but walking the talk.
He said he would keep it in his basket so that each time he started work, it would remind him of his pledge to the nation not to tolerate corruption.
Speaking at the same occasion, ZACC chairperson Michael Reza said the RBZ holds responsibility and influence with the National Development Strategy (NDS1) whose other objective is to consolidate the gains made in restoring monetary policy, with major outcomes of improved currency and price stability.
He said this would be achieved through increased use of the local currency as the dominant legal tender by 2025 and financial sector stability.
“The Central Bank is specifically entrusted with the responsibility to maintain price and financial stability necessary for effective planning and preservation of the value of the local currency,” he said.
“This onerous task demands duty bearers of integrity who can resist the temptation to engage in underhand dealings to enrich themselves.”
Reza said in addition to being a desirable trait, integrity was a fundamental necessity for those holding positions of power and trust.
He said for a RBZ Governor, integrity ensured that decisions were made in the nation’s best interests, which are free from corruption.
“It guarantees that the Reserve Bank operates transparently and accountably, fostering a culture of trust and confidence among the public and international partners,” he explained.
“The public commitment to uphold integrity, by the Governor and other senior officials is a concrete affirmation that integrity is the life and bloodline of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. It is a total rejection of dubious conduct in the implementation of the country’s monetary policy.”
Public confidence in a currency was directly tied to the perception of the institutions that manage it, said Reza, adding when the public sees the central bank operated with unwavering honesty and Integrity, they develop trust in it and ultimately in the local currency.
New Ziana