Act Against Corruption Now

CORRUPTION, among other social evils, has been identified by our government as a priority to be stopped sooner rather than later before it gets worse.

This is a welcome relief to all people who are against corrupt practices in both Government and the private sector. However, this initiative from authority has come too late to right the wrongs which have already affected innocent citizens of this country.Despite that, Government’s strong backing is still needed if corruption is to be rooted out.People have been expressing their views and opinions in both print and electronic media for a long time now.It seems to have fallen on deaf ears, especially to people in authority, who could possibly make a big difference.Right now corruption is on the rise and it will remain like that for the near future.It is spreading rapidly in Government and the private sector alike.We as citizens of this nation who are suffering because of corruption put the blame first at the doors of the Government.Government, especially people in authority, let the seeds of corruption germinate.It was nurtured through its action or inaction during the earliest post-independence stage.Now after 15 years, corruption is deep-rooted, and has spread to all parts of Namibian society with devastating effects.It’s difficult to fight or get rid of.The principle of “prevention is better than cure” should have been applied decisively at the earliest stage.At the moment many people have internalised corrupt behaviour as normal in their daily lives.Some have developed or perfected sophisticated skills to carry out corruption without being caught red-handed.These people are the most dangerous; some are educated with money while others have political influence and have impressed or blinded leaders so that it’s difficult to accuse them because they are hiding behind people with political influence.The story of Namibian corruption is a sad one, like many African countries.From high officers in authority to a policeman and to an ordinary bank teller, and including pastors or priests in a church, have been influenced for the worse.Life has become abnormal for citizens who don’t practice corruption and has become normal for the corrupt.It’s perplexing how we as a young nation have become so corrupt after just 15 years of freedom.If in the next 15 years corruption continues, we must forget what good things Vision 2030 has to offer.So given the nature of corruption that’s being practised in this country, well-intended speeches from higher offices will not make a big difference unless there is a shake-up, especially involving people with influence and power.I mean concrete action to fire them or prosecute them.It has been said by experts that it is not easy to fight corruption in Africa.This is because people involved in corruption include those with higher status, political influence and economic power.Moreover, corruption in some cases involves rich international companies.A general lack of independent media and judiciary in many African countries and the absence of a vibrant voice of civil society all compound the problem.Governments in many African countries have been an unreliable partner to bring to book those involved in corruption.Cases involving corruption drag on for years and even those involved in pursuing justice are frustrated, are at risk of being discredited and even of losing their lives.One particular example in this regard is a Kenyan case that has led to the resignation of a person charged to bring the case to justice while in Britain.This happened right after a new government that professes that it is against corruption.Similar cases abound in the SADC region in particular and the whole African continent at large.However, some countries in the SADC region are setting the norm and standard on how to win the war against corruption.One example is Lesotho, a small, poor country which successfully brought to justice an international Canadian company involved in the supply of water.It illustrates that small country with less resources can win the war against corruption with minimal resources at their backing.An encouraging example is the sacking of Deputy President Jacob Zuma by President Thabo Mbeki.Mbeki has shown to his peers in the SADC region and around the world that his government is serious about getting rid of corruption.No matter who is involved, no one is above the law.Leaders in the SADC region in general and Namibia in particular, should emulate what a noble thing their rich neighbour has just done.It should be the envy of any country that stands for good governance.Melgisedek Sikongo RunduHowever, this initiative from authority has come too late to right the wrongs which have already affected innocent citizens of this country.Despite that, Government’s strong backing is still needed if corruption is to be rooted out.People have been expressing their views and opinions in both print and electronic media for a long time now.It seems to have fallen on deaf ears, especially to people in authority, who could possibly make a big difference.Right now corruption is on the rise and it will remain like that for the near future.It is spreading rapidly in Government and the private sector alike.We as citizens of this nation who are suffering because of corruption put the blame first at the doors of the Government.Government, especially people in authority, let the seeds of corruption germinate.It was nurtured through its action or inaction during the earliest post-independence stage.Now after 15 years, corruption is deep-rooted, and has spread to all parts of Namibian society with devastating effects.It’s difficult to fight or get rid of.The principle of “prevention is better than cure” should have been applied decisively at the earliest stage.At the moment many people have internalised corrupt behaviour as normal in their daily lives.Some have developed or perfected sophisticated skills to carry out corruption without being caught red-handed.These people are the most dangerous; some are educated with money while others have political influence and have impressed or blinded leaders so that it’s difficult to accuse them because they are hiding behind people with political influence.The story of Namibian corruption is a sad one, like many African countries.From high officers in authority to a policeman and to an ordinary bank teller, and including pastors or priests in a church, have been influenced for the worse.Life has become abnormal for citizens who don’t practice corruption and has become normal for the corrupt.It’s perplexing how we as a young nation have become so corrupt after just 15 years of freedom.If in the next 15 years corruption continues, we must forget what good things Vision 2030 has to offer.So given the nature of corruption that’s being practised in this country, well-intended speeches from higher offices will not make a big difference unless there is a shake-up, especially involving people with influence and power.I mean concrete action to fire them or prosecute them.It has been said by experts that it is not easy to fight corruption in Africa.This is because people involved in corruption include those with higher status, political influence and economic power.Moreover, corruption in some cases involves rich international companies.A general lack of independent media and judiciary in many African countries and the absence of a vibrant voice of civil society all compound the problem.Governments in many African countries have been an unreliable partner to bring to book those involved in corruption.Cases involving corruption drag on for years and even those involved in pursuing justice are frustrated, are at risk of being discredited and even of losing their lives.One particular example in this regard is a Kenyan case that has led to the resignation of a person charged to bring the case to justice while in Britain.This happened right after a new government that professes that it is against corruption.Similar cases abound in the SADC region in particular and the whole African continent at large.However, some countries in the SADC region are setting the norm and standard on how to win the war against corruption.One example is Lesotho, a small, poor country which successfully brought to justice an international Canadian company involved in the supply of water.It illustrates that small country with less resources can win the war against corruption with minimal resources at their backing.An encouraging example is the sacking of Deputy President Jacob Zuma by President Thabo Mbeki.Mbeki has shown to his peers in the SADC region and around the world that his government is serious about getting rid of corruption.No matter who is involved, no one is above the law.Leaders in the SADC region in general and Namibia in particular, should emulate what a noble thing their rich neighbour has just done.It should be the envy of any country that stands for good governance.Melgisedek Sikongo Rundu