Consolidating and Modelling an Ethics Architecture for Zimbabwe’s Urban Councils: Issues for Consideration

This article identifies corruption as one of the challenges affecting Zimbabwe’s urban councils and an ethical problem that needs an ethical remedy. The prevalence of corruption in Zimbabwe’s urban councils is considered a litmus test for the capacity of the existing ethics architecture to fight corruption. This article examines the performance of the ethics architecture of urban councils in Zimbabwe in proposing relevant policy and institutional ethics architectural remedies. A qualitative methodology was employed to collect data from five urban councils through documentary analysis and interviews. Data analysis involved a comparative thematic and cross-analysis of the five urban councils’ cases. The study concludes that the ethics architecture for urban councils is ineffective in countering corruption. The research therefore recommends that Zimbabwean urban councils adopt an effective ethics architecture model capable of fighting corruption head-on, from detection, investigation, and prevention to resolution. The paper argues in strong terms that socialisation as a preventive measure is very critical because the acts of corruption are committed in secrecy, which implies that corruption can evade detection, prosecution, and sanction. Against such a background, proper socialisation complemented by stiff sanctioning and enforcement of legal instruments to eradicate the vice of corruption in urban councils is needed. The proposed ethics architectural model managed by an Integrity Management Office is crucial in the battle against corruption, and this should be supported by exemplary leadership, a well-paid workforce, robust and balanced media platforms, and active citizenry.