Govt integrated ICT key to crime-fighting: Kazembe
SYDNEY SAIZE IN MUTARE
The integrated Information Communication Technology (ICT) system introduced in key ministries and departments would help curb the prevalence of corruption in government, the Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe said.
The minister, who spoke to Business Times on the sidelines of an induction workshop for the Lotteries and Gaming Board (LGB) interim members meeting held in Mutare last week, said the system would be introduced to the entire Zimbabwe Republic Police administration.
The computerisation of the police system will result in more effective crime-fighting, Kazembe said.
“In my view if implemented fully we will curb corruption because what it means is that we will computerise our police which means we will have a computerised crime management system, a computerised traffic management system and we will have gadgets that will police the police officers themselves, so this will then eradicate the element of corruption,” Kazembe said. ‘
The integrated ICT system has been approved by the Cabinet.
Kazembe said the system would computerised the police, the civil registration system, and the immigrations department will also be computerized.
“All those three will be integrated on a particular ICT system which then means will be extended to the citizens and remove the human interaction and have that on line it will help as no one will have to queue for a passport,” he said.
“And if you remove that human interface chances of corruption become very slim as you will apply for your passport from the comfort of your home from your phone and we believe could be happening which is something we are investigating is that some people could be enjoying from the status quo where the situation remains as is so as to create that commotion so as to have people scrambling for passports and create an opportunity for corruption.”
Kazembe is hoping the finances will be available on time to move with the planned computerisation programme of the entire ministry’s departments.
‘’We pray that the Treasury avails the funds to get on it as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, the LGB chairperson Euginia Chidhakwa said the induction programme was earmarked to equip the board members with corporate governance issues and know the importance of their stakeholders.
The LGB is the country’s regulatory body tasked with controlling and monitoring the operations of the gambling industry under the Lotteries and Gambling Act of 2000.
