Youth Engagement and Participation in the Fight against Corruption in Zimbabwe: Opportunities and Challenges

This study explores the role of the youth in combating corruption in Zimbabwe. It adopts a qualitative research approach and employs primary data collected through in-depth interviews with youth from the public and private sectors, and secondary data from academic journals, government publications and media articles. The findings reveal challenges such as political repression, limited financial resources and exclusion from decision-making. In addition, the conflation of state and ruling party politics and apathy towards anti-corruption activities, heightened by the negative influence of social media and drug abuse, significantly impede youth participation in anti-corruption activities. This study recommends youth-focused awareness initiatives, the promotion of collaborative networks and legal reforms to enhance youth representation in governance structures. In addition, the study emphasises the importance of youth political conscientisation and a secure political environment to enhance the role of the youth in anti-corruption efforts in Zimbabwe.