The Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) has warned that countries endowed with natural resources are more susceptible to poverty, inequality, corruption, dictatorships, and even military coups when compared to those without much natural resources.
CNRG director Farai Maguwu said that natural resources are a “two-edged sword” that can propel a country into prosperity but can also destroy governance and service delivery if there is no discipline or visionary leadership.
He compared resource looting to other societal vices such as terrorism and drug smuggling, saying that it is a dangerous crime that is difficult to break free from once one is involved in it.
Maguwu said that there is a need for very strong public pressure to stop resource looting.
“People must show complete disgust and rejection of the practice, there must be consequences for those who commit such crimes. We must relate resource looting to our decaying hospitals without drugs, ambulances, and beds, we must connect resource looting to our shameful roads, and lack of water, and electricity. Once this connection is made clear, we must demand that those in high offices account for our resources,” he said.
He also said that some communities have responded positively to the rejection of resource looting, while others have not been so receptive. He cited the example of the community in Sese, Masvingo, which was able to successfully resist displacement by the Murowa mining company after receiving civic education on their constitutional rights.
Maguwu also called on the media to play a role in demanding accountability, educating, and raising awareness about natural resource looting. He said that the other big problem is the lack of parliamentary oversight, which allows the executive to make decisions without fear of being held accountable.
He said that Parliament must have the power and mandate to scrutinize every transaction to ensure that the national interest is not compromised. He also said that there is a need to carry out civic education and bring the message of development to communities.
