Introduction
One of the major tasks of government is to provide goods and services to the people. There are however many factors that hinder the smooth delivery of goods and services. Corruption is one of the factors. A link has been established between corruption and economic stagnation. Corruption leads to misallocation of resources meant for uplifting of the majority members of the public for the benefit of a few. It is a universal scourge that has been described differently by various schools of thought. It tends to limit citizens access to free goods and services and reduces freedom of political choice in elections. It can also be linked to the escalation of poverty, as the prevalence of corrupt practices socially excludes the poor …show more content…

87% of the people interviewed perceived corruption to be a problem in the country, with a growing tendency for officials to demand unofficial payments in return for services rendered. According to the report, public services delivery institutions such as the Police (excluding traffic police), Traffic police, National Registration office, Judges/Court officials, Passport office, ZRA – Customs division, Pensions, and Lands Department, are perceived by surveyed households as having 10 per cent and above frequency of bribes. The Survey further shows that the most perceived corrupt institutions like Zambia Revenue Authority (customs), Traffic police, Lands, Passport Office, Police are the most bureaucratic, the most dishonest or not very efficient.
In addition, the survey shows that at the point of service delivery, corruption is perceived to be most prevalent at issuance of permits or licences; expediency of legal proceedings; during provision of basic public services, in particular education and health; expediency of revision of tax (customs); and, expediency of obtaining contracts with state institutions.
The Bribe payers Index survey revealed that 96.3% of the respondents were aware of what corruption was. Most Zambians know what corruption is and therefore have full knowledge of the consequences when they get engaged in it (2007:15). The incidence of public officials asking for