VP Chiwenga warns unscrupulous businesspeople

LIVINGSTONE MARUFU IN VICTORIA FALLS

Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga has issued a stern warning to unscrupulous businesspeople operating without traceable capital or legitimate enterprises, declaring that their days are numbered as government intensifies efforts to root out corruption, Business Times can report.

Speaking at the ongoing Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) annual conference in Victoria Falls, several speakers echoed concerns that Zimbabwe’s economic potential cannot be unlocked in a society plagued by corruption.

This is not the first time that Vice-President Chiwenga has publicly condemned corrupt practices, both within government structures and the private sector.

Chiwenga emphasised that genuine business success is founded on hard work, discipline, sacrifice, and value creation—not shady dealings.

“We must shun unscrupulous ‘so-called businesspeople’ operating from briefcases with no traceable capital or legitimate enterprise,” Chiwenga said. “This culture of phantom entrepreneurship, where money appears without any known source, is not only economically corrosive but ethically bankrupt. We all know that money does not fall from the heavens like manna.”

The Vice-President warned that a “day of reckoning” is inevitable for individuals and entities that undermine Zimbabwe’s economic integrity through shadowy dealings.

“The day of reckoning is inevitable for those who undermine our economic integrity by engaging with shadowy dealings,” he declared.

Chiwenga stressed that building a resilient and competitive economy requires a collective commitment to integrity and accountability.

“As we deepen public-private partnerships and catalyse economic growth, we must decisively shun corruption in all its forms. There can be no room for rent-seeking behaviours or muddy practices in a modern, competitive economy,” he said.

The Vice-President further called on all stakeholders to uphold ethical business conduct, transparency, and sound corporate governance as fundamental pillars of Zimbabwe’s economic engagements.

“I therefore call upon all stakeholders to uphold ethical business transactions, transparency, and corporate governance as foundational principles of our commercial engagements,” he said.

He underscored that these principles are not optional but are essential to attracting investment, building institutional trust, and achieving sustainable national prosperity.

Chiwenga urged both policymakers and the private sector to leverage the ZNCC conference as a platform to forge new alliances, unlock synergies, attract investors who respect Zimbabwe’s national interests, and foster innovative ventures that will enhance the country’s productivity.

He called on conference delegates to adopt a renewed sense of determination, strategic focus, and collective resolve to transform Zimbabwe’s economic landscape.

“Our success lies in unlocking policy-driven growth, fostering inclusive partnerships, and embedding a culture of professionalism, transparency, productivity, and excellence,” Chiwenga said. “Sustainable transformation demands a whole-of-society approach—unifying public institutions, private enterprise, civil society, and development partners. We must synchronise our efforts, pool our resources, and align around a shared national interest. Together, we must build an ecosystem that grows our country and liberates our people.”

The ZNCC conference continues to draw attention to the critical need for ethical leadership, responsible enterprise, and a corruption-free environment to drive Zimbabwe’s economic revival.