Zimbabwean journalist Hopewell Chin’ono wins international anti-corruption award
Managing Editor
Hopewell Chin’ono, a popular Zimbabwean journalist has won the International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award for his efforts in investigating graft in government.
The awards ceremony held in Doha, Qatar this week recognised individuals who uphold the rule of law.
Chin’ono who has been jailed three times for exposing high level looting of Covid-19 funds which led to the arrest of former health minister Obadiah Moyo, in 2020 shared the news on microblogging site, Twitter.
1. I have just been awarded the International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award in Doha, Qatar.
I received the award from the Emir (King) of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in the presence of the United Nations @UN Special Advocate for the Prevention of Corruption. pic.twitter.com/nT44PrRSHU
— Hopewell Chin’ono (@daddyhope) December 8, 2022
“This is an important milestone not just for me, but for my country which is struggling to move ahead because of unprecedented looting of public funds and abuse of the judiciary,” Chin’ono wrote.
“I want to pay great tribute to my social media followers who have been a great source of information & support throughout my persecution by the Zimbabwean Government.”
The Zimbabwe filmmaker, whose work has previously received recognition internationally, winning the CNN African Journalist of the year has been a target of government attacks as a result of his work.
This year, his property was under siege from the ruling party, Zanu PF activists.
Asked if the perceived “persecution” would deter his work, Chin’ono said told AlJazeera: “I have seized to think about myself and my safety. I look at the sorrow in Zimbabwe. As we speak the central hospital don’t have paracetamol, the whole country does not have a single working cancer machine.”
“So exposing those things and pushing for the government to do something about it, is more important than worrying about my safety.”
He said government has not walked the talk with regards to stemming out corruption, adding that public officials were involved in the looting of funds.
Hopewell however said he was hopeful about Zimbabwe’s future, with the youths expected to play a major role in transforming the country’s fortunes.
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