The Cost of Corruption in a Resource-Constrained Country: The Case of Zimbabwe
Abstract
Despite repeated reform efforts, corruption remains deeply entrenched across key institutions. Zimbabwe is now ranked 160 out of 180 in terms of the perceived levels of public sector corruption. Whilst the cost of corruption has remained un-assessed in most economic zones, Zimbabwe included, there is significant amount of evidence that suggests it has been
widespread in most nations, including Zimbabwe. However, the consequences differ from one country to the other and from institution to institution. The cost of corruption in resource constrained environments, Zimbabwe has remained a grey area, unexplored and untheorised. Zimbabwe as a case remains a’ black box’. This study employed qualitative content analysis to assess the cost and impact of corruption in Zimbabwe. The study adopted a multi-theoretical framework encompassing Social Exchange Theory, Game Theory, White-Elephant Theory, and X-inefficiency Theory to adequately conceptualise the dynamics of corruption in Zimbabwe. These perspectives enable nuanced analysis of behavioural, institutional and structural dimensions of corruption. A purposive sample of 30 scholarly sources including peer-reviewed articles, institutional reports, and policy briefs from 2010 to 2024 was selected from academic databases and institutional platforms. Findings indicated that corruption eroded institutional accountability, exacerbated poverty and inequality, discouraged investment, undermined public services in health, education, infrastructure and natural resource sectors. Social cohesion was compromised, with rising public disillusionment and inequality in service access. The study concluded that corruption in Zimbabwe was multidimensional and pervasive, impeding national development goals. Addressing it required comprehensive reforms, including stronger transparency frameworks, independent oversight institutions, civic
engagement and global cooperation on asset recovery. These measures were essential for restoring accountability, enhancing governance and achieving sustainable development. The study highlighted the need for further research into the psychosocial dimensions of corruption; how societal norms, expectations and historical injustices influenced corrupt behaviour.
