Mines and Energy Minister Tom Alweendo says every system can be corrupted if elected leaders have no forethought and wisdom on public and private entities. Alweendo said ethical leadership should be at the centre in the fight against corruption. The minister said corruption has negative repercussions on economic growth as it undermines Government tax collection, perpetuates income inequality and erodes growth of corporate enterprises. Alweendo said failing to pay tax amounts to corruption as it negatively impacts the national budget, limiting the Government’s ability to eradicate corruption. He said enterprises find it difficult to grow and prosper in highly corrupt economies, as they are rendered less competitive and highly inefficient. Alweendo said corruption hits the poorest and most vulnerable people the hardest. He stressed that inflation of the cost of large public infrastructure projects reduces the government’s capacity to fund social welfare programmes. Alweendo was contributing to a recent discussion on corruption and its effects, moved by PDM’s National Assembly, Vipuakuje Muharukua.