EMPOWERED INFORMED PEOPLE IN 2012
TAKING TO THE STREETS
Rallying for Change in Zimbabwe For those few hours, business was brought to a standstill. Traffic ground to a halt and people gathered at windows and doorways as crowds filled the streets, waving placards and singing. It was the launch of our new legal advice centre in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, and the residents were ready to show their support. Swelling to thousands, the march culminated in front of the Bulawayo City Hall, where the crowd was addressed by a diverse range of speakers – from student and council representatives, to journalists, police chiefs and business people – all voicing the same message: corruption needs to stop. It wasn’t the first time we had taken to the streets that year in Zimbabwe. When citizens in Harare were issued high electricity bills despite a string of power cuts that left hospitals and households in darkness, we started a petition calling on the electricity
As we open our new legal advice centre, citizens in Zimbabwe take to the streets in support of transparency. © Transparency International Zimbabwe
company to address poor service delivery, and led a public march to present thousands of names to the company directly. Already, the company has addressed complaints that meter readers were extorting citizens with threats of power disconnection – installing pre-paid meters in most households across the country. Back in Bulawayo, the party continued, as a renowned dance troupe took to the stage. “The response from the crowds was overwhelming,” says Programme Officer Nyasha Mpahlo, “and by the end of day one, we had already provided legal assistance to 200 people.”
Around the World DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
MONTENEGRO
As the national deficit increased, considered by many to be the result of corruption, our network for tax justice gathered thousands in the streets to call for change.
Amid allegations of corruption in the privatisation of electricity supply, we helped organise six protests across the country. Bringing thousands to the streets, we called on the government to address the complaints.
G U AT E M A L A As their mayor was detained on corruption charges, we invited citizens of one city to show their support for a better future by running against corruption. Covering 10 kilometres, hundreds raced along routes marked out with huge banners bearing anti-corruption slogans.
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SENEGAL Asking government officials to declare their assets and calling for action on corruption in public institutions, our “No Impunity” campaign gathered together young people with a public concert, street theatre and film screenings.