Reform will free this country from graft

South Africans must call government to task to root out corruption, writes

OSajida Timol.

nly constitutional reform and a new breed of politicians can release SA from the tentacles of corruption that are suffocating it. The numerous scandals show corruption and impropriety are embedded in our governance processes, and no Band-Aid approach can bring SA back to the level of governance of pre-independence and early post-independence.

It proves the point that today’s perceived level of corruption is directly proportional to the quality of people in parliament and the integrity of those who dispense the services of government.

Political parties are equally culpable as their vetting processes for potential parliamentary and local government candidates are flawed and biased towards those who support the leader rather than integrity and competency.

If we separate the powers of government, make it more accountable and efficient, trim the powers of the ministers, we would have gone a long way in chopping off the tentacles of corruption.

It is easier said than done, as power is “sweet” and not easy to let go of.

As a people we must demand that government begins the process of constitutional reform as a matter of priority. We must demand that our MPs end this scandal after scandal.

They need training and counselling to improve their governance. But no training will fix the corruption if the system facilitates it. We need reform.