Transparency International says corruption is getting worse in Southern Africa adding that the number of people paying bribes for public services was increasing.
The report focuses on Zambia and five other African countries.
The new survey from Transparency International, which was released this morning in Berlin Germany, shows the police are seen as most corrupt.
The report revealed that 56 percent of all those who come in contact with public service providers were asked to pay a bribe in the past year.
The survey also found that across the region 62 per cent of people believe corruption has become worse in the past three years.
Daily Lives and Corruption, Public Opinion in Southern Africa surveyed more than 6,000 people in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe between 2010 and 2011.
“Governments must wake up to the fact that people will not tolerate corruption any more and start reforming weak institutions, particular the police. People have a right to feel that they are protected by the police and not harassed,” said Chantal Uwimana, Regional Director for Africa and the Middle East at Transparency International.
The report found that people in all six countries named the police as the most corrupt service provider of the nine featured in the survey and that most bribes were paid to the police.
The results showed some regional differences. In four out of the six countries people reported paying bribes to speed up services but in South Africa and the DRC more bribes were paid to avoid problems with the authorities.
In five of the six countries people trusted the government more than non-governmental organisations, the media, international organisations or the private sector to fight corruption. In Malawi, however, non-governmental organisations were trusted just as much as the government.
Transparency International well done. The president will takecare of this. Just watch Mukolo is about to doc. Chungu appointment was worst to stab us at the back. But since the president is a listening govt, he withdraw that appointment. The survey was taken during the RB’s time. As for now, its zero tolerance to corruption. Wait and see
@Litunga I agree wit u man. This report does not in any way include Satas rule. Be least assured that corruption ll be reduced drastically esp that ze govt is workin on improvin the pathetic conditions of service of ze police. It jus normal thoug 4others to blame ze current govt, they ar entitled to their opinion.
TIZ on Mahtani’s payroll
Sad that the police, who we’re supposed to look up to are the most corrupt. I agree with the results. Cops are too quick to threaten to throw you in jail for not having reflectors on your car — what do reflectors and jail have in common.
Police need to be straightened out. Start from the top, remove those dinosaurs with little or no vision, replace them with young vibrant, energetic minds.
corruption starts with you TIZ..what measures have you put in place..?
What is is lacking in police are system managent tools. Need to mordenize the police and enhance professionalism through training!
Over here it is almost impossible to have police personnel corrupt because first of all cars are properly registered and when a driver is fined, the fine comes through the post, then you go and pay through the bank or post office so the police officer who fined you has nothing to do with money at all. We can close these loopholes in Zamia by having proper car registration and have all systems working properly. Make it mandatory to have all public services paid only through bank drafts or postal orders. I know some people will say it will be cumbersome, better cumbersome than involuntarily legalising corruption by leaving too many loopholes. These things will bring accountability as well. This is how things are done in the west and they work. We need established workable and good systems.
There is no proper system of checks and balance
No accountability, too many loopholes
Any Zambian who promotes corruption of any type must be brought to Justice. Zambian people UNITE and agree on one thing alone – WE WILL BE THE EXAMPLE FOR ALL OF AFRICA TO FOLLOW. When corruption goes and Justice is seen to be done investors will flock. If you root out those fake self serving politicians, police and judiciary only the ones who truely care will be left. These practices of corruption were only designed to ensure the environment is never stable enough to invest in which would make Zed powerful. People unite and stamp out evil from the heart of Africa, from top to bottom if not for your sake then for our future generations.