TRC needed in state capture probe

THE tentacles of state capture and corruption are deeply ingrained in all walks of South African society with far reaching consequences. In isiZulu, the common saying is

“i-hlanhla yami-my luck” when one steals. It’s unfortunate that some of those screaming the loudest in the corridors of power are the problem themselves, directly or indirectly complicit in having allowed this to continue unchecked. Corruption is fast becoming part of our culture, which will be a challenging subject to address in a secular system of government.

What might help is a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to invite those involved in these misdemeanours to come forward and confess.

It needn’t be a general amnesty, but confined to certain categories of crime, which could be held in private chambers. The confessors will automatically qualify for a plea bargain where ultimate corrective measures will be actioned.

I say this, mindful of the fact that it would be virtually impossible for the state with its limited resources to cut the crippling umbilical cord coupled with endemic corruption. Unfortunately, our constitution is so designed that power is the order of the day. Those who have the means can drive the court process ad infinitum, challenging a poorly-resourced justice system. Amnesty is nothing new, we have done this before in past tax amnesties with a fair amount of success.

In moving forward, we need to reinforce our commitment to Ubuntu in the healing of our nation in this very sore chapter in our fledgling post-apartheid history. Under the chieftain system of governance, corruption was unheard of in black society. Which drives me to the point that adopting exclusive Western value systems, based on class classification, is not the only way forward.