Corruption and Impunity Plague Mozambique

Despite efforts to combat corruption, the problem remains widespread in Mozambique, with a culture of impunity allowing corrupt officials to go unpunished.

Efforts to Combat Corruption

The government has established several anti-corruption initiatives, including:

• The Central Office for the Combat of Corruption
• Provincial-level offices

However, these efforts have been met with limited success, as many officials continue to engage in corrupt practices.

Widespread Corruption Across Government Levels

Corruption is a serious problem across all levels of government, including:

• Senior officials often having conflicts of interest between their public roles and private business interests
• The police force being plagued by corruption, with some members believed to be tipping off criminals to police operations

Prosecutions and Laws

The Office of the Prosecutor General has launched several high-profile corruption prosecutions, including those involving former ministers and government officials. However:

• Many cases remain pending or are delayed due to a lack of resources and political will
• Several anti-corruption laws have been passed, including:
  • The Law on Public Integrity
  • The Witness and Victims Protection Act
• These laws have yet to be fully implemented, and many officials continue to engage in corrupt activities with impunity

Criticism from Civil Society

Civil society organizations, such as the Center for Public Integrity, have been vocal in their criticism of corruption and have called on the government to take action against corrupt practices.

Perceptions of Corruption

According to Transparency International’s Global Corruption Barometer 2013:

• 30% of surveyed households believe that the government’s efforts to fight corruption are ineffective
• Only 19% consider them effective
• 32% of respondents believed that corruption had increased “a lot” over the past two years

Government Response and Expert Opinion

The Mozambican government has acknowledged the problem of corruption and has promised to take action against it. However, many experts believe that more needs to be done to address the issue and ensure that those who engage in corrupt activities are held accountable.

In conclusion, corruption remains a significant challenge for Mozambique, with widespread impunity allowing corrupt officials to go unpunished. While efforts have been made to combat corruption, more needs to be done to root out the problem and ensure accountability.