Salutations
Good morning, Ladies and Gentlemen. Thank you for joining us this morning as we launch this regional study on Corruption and Discrimination in Africa. As you may be aware, corruption is a global problem that affects many different facets of people’s lives. In Africa, the natural resources sector has typically been one of the most worst affected by this scourge, and has continued to bear the brunt of corruption, which has continued to deny people access to the land and resources which they rely upon for their survival. At the same time, both direct and indirect discrimination on grounds ranging from disability to ethnicity and from gender to religion, has led to denial of land rights for some of the most marginalized members of society across the African continent, including here in Zambia.
Ladies and Gentlemen, while there is compelling evidence of corruption and discrimination impeding the equal enjoyment of land rights, the relationship between these phenomena has been underexplored. This report titled “The Beautiful Land: Corruption and Discrimination in Land Rights in Sub-Saharan Africa” seeks to fill that gap. In terms of objectives, the study on which the report is based sought to explore – for the first time – the dynamics of corruption and discrimination in the land sector in the sub-region. It also sought to examine evidence and to present case studies from seven countries in Sub-Saharan Africa to understand how these dynamics exacerbate one another and fuel land inequalities in the seven countries, namely, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, South Africa, Uganda, Zimbabwe, and Zambia.
As a Global Movement, Transparency International prides itself in conducting high quality research in order to generate globally acceptable findings, and this study is no exception. As part of the research that informed this study report, we conducted desk- 2 based reviews of existing literature on land, corruption and discrimination, and a series of semi-structured interviews with stakeholders at the national level. Further, we also designed a broad profile of land corruption and discrimination to develop countryspecific case studies, and after a deeper analysis of these case studies, in-house and external reviewers validated the draft report.
Ladies and Gentlemen, let me now highlight some of the key findings from the Zambian Case Study, which focused on “Access to Land for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).” As Transparency International Zambia, we established that within society, persons with disabilities experience a range of challenges linked to their status. Because of their weak socio-economic position, many PWDs cannot afford the costs of obtaining state land. Further, physical accessibility barriers, linked to the design of government offices and a lack of available transport, prevented some PWDs from accessing land related services. Similar issues exist in customary settings, where a lack of accommodating measures prevent PWDs from participating in meetings and decisions that affect their lives. With regard to the manifestation of corruption in the Land sector and with specific reference to PWDs, we found that corrupt actors at different levels typically target land belonging to PWDs. The results further established that bribes are commonly required to obtain State land, with several affected community members indicating that they had received requests for facilitation payments from administrative officials at different levels. A lack of access to financial resources means that PWDs are less likely to be able to meet the demands of corrupt actors. All these manifestations of corruption in relation to the land rights of PWDs are a matter of grave concern and require strategic and focused interventions by government and all stakeholders in the land sector if the situation is to be remedied.
As key actors As I conclude, it is important to note that at the policy level, there has been some progress in addressing these issues. The National Lands Policy notes the need for a “gender sensitive and youth friendly land sector, which is inclusive of PWDs and other socially marginalized groups. However, while women and youth have specific land quotas, the same is not applicable to PWDs. More modestly, the 3 policy speaks of the need to “encourage the progressive empowerment of persons with disabilities in land allocation.” As key actors in Zambia’s land sector, I call upon you to join TI-Z in implementing a wide range of actions, including increased rights awareness and sensitization, in order to address these challenges. Such action is essential if we are to achieve real change. However, capacity building and sensitization will not be enough, without tackling corruption and its drivers. If we join hands in combating corruption and discrimination in the land sector, we will stand a better chance at making progress towards equality for PWDs, and indeed other marginalized groups in Zambia.
Ladies and Gentlemen. It is now my honour and privilege, on behalf of the Transparency International Zambia Membership, Board of Directors, Management and Staff, to declare the “The Beautiful Land: Corruption and Discrimination in Land Rights in Sub-Saharan Africa” Report and the Zambian case study, officially launched in Zambia.
I thank you for your attendance.
