Let’s strengthen our institutions to shield them from abuse by the powerful
The integrity of our democracy depends on the functionality of state organs, no matter who’s in charge
The recent cases of highranking state officials misusing state resources to settle personal matters made me think of the importance of investing in the strength of our institutions than in the individuals entrusted with management of these institutions. Individuals come and go but institutions remain.
When these institutions are strong, the integrity of our democracy will be protected. It will not be compromised by the characters of those who come into and (exit) these institutions.
The strength of institutions should not rest on the shoulders of those at the helm. These institutions must be able to effectively function no matter the person who comes in to run them. Our country has strong laws, and the appropriate institutions. However, it seems their machinery is not so robust. The rich and powerful can manoeuvre them as they please.
We have seen this happen far too many times. Recently, former minister Malusi Gigaba and deputy finance minister David Masondo utilised the Hawks in matters that could have been handled by alternative routes of law enforcement.
The Hawks confirmed the arrest of Norma Mngoma Gigaba based on allegations of assault and malicious damage to property. The charges were laid by her husband Malusi Gigaba. This is a matter the SAPS could have handled. Masondo had a woman he had a dispute with arrested by the Hawks.
In a country where accessing justice is a substantial burden for women, we cannot have instances of powerful men having unwarranted access to some of our most critical institutions – at their will.
This is particularly disturbing because these are individuals who, by virtue of the offices they have held or currently hold, are privy to the seriousness of their actions and the seriousness of the offices which they have chosen to approach to have their matters dealt with.
It was not by mistake, it is a deliberate act by powerful men to unjustly access institutions women wouldn’t ordinarily have access to, for life threatening situations.
This is not a comparison of cases or to say that either Gigaba or Masondo should not have access to the law, or their cases have no merit.
It is to say that, the manner in which they decided to pursue their cases, via a directorate such as the Hawks, exhibits a wielding of power and puts our institutions in disrepute.
The value of investing into the strengthening of our institutions is that, individuals, by virtue of who they are, will not have unfettered power. Individuals will know that these institutions will not allow any misuse or abuse of policies because the processes would be too stringent to be surpassed.
In an ideal world, the haste of the Hawks to take on these matters, is the type of haste and urgency that women wish their issues would be dealt with, by a body as serious as the Hawks. But women do not have this privilege.
A person’s role in society should not outweigh an institution’s ability to do things by the book.
On face value, the suggestion that the solidity of our institutions shouldn’t rest on individuals seems rather far-fetched. However, I am referring to processes remaining effective despite who runs them.
When a woman approaches the police station for help, it should not rest on the station commander, for example, for a person who needs help to receive the best aid as possible. The appropriate processes should be steadfast and almost run themselves.
This is critical for our democracy and equitable access to justice.