Corruption has got out of control

Advocate Terry Motau cements the perception that we are a nation of financial predators; shameless thieves with no moral scruples.

Corruption in SA has reached astronomical proportions. It can be defined as an immoral and dishonest exploitation of power for personal gain and as a total betrayal of public trust.

Corruption is the greatest single bane of our society today. It is a major affront to democracy, as it sequestrates the wealth meant for the public good into the hands of the corrupt. It promotes indolence, avarice and greed and enhances mass poverty in a nation. A fight against corruption is an important avenue for consolidating democracy.

In a just, moral society, people who commit crimes and dishonest immoral acts are punished by the legal, justice system. There is an old axiom often applied to those with political ambitions: “Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

In this case, the term “corruption” means the abuse of a public office for personal gain or other illegal or immoral benefit. Political corruption is a recognised criminal offence, along with bribery, extortion and embezzlement.

Our bankruptcy bears witness to destruction by one-party rule. Two decades of unchecked corruption and incompetent governance have come to a head, as the accumulated debts of a government willing to buy votes from the non-productive at the expense of the productive, fall upon a dwindling populace too poor or dependent to flee.

Corruption hurts the poor most by diverting funds intended for basic services, and discouraging foreign investment and aid. Our beloved rainbow nation stares into the abyss.

Farouk Araie Actonville, Benoni