Vote on issues; hold parties to account

OVER the past few months, we have seen the raising of red flags over reported questionable happenings in our government. Civil society watchdog agencies on corruption, and opposition parties, have all been adding their voice of concern over the moral and ethical conduct of some of those we have entrusted to serve with dignity, accountability and transparency.

Political corruption is not just election rigging. It can, in most cases, lead to politicians in office steering away from good governance, making decisions that benefit mostly those who fund them or with whom they share the same “roost”.

A typical example of this is where the beneficiaries of these corrupt practices are out in their numbers defending the government at every opportunity. They do not see the diversion of scarce resources from the poor and disadvantaged – further exacerbated by government functionaries planting their own supporters and political hacks across most government agencies. This serves to undermine democratic institutions and weaken their service to those who need it most.

All this has given rise to voter apathy; so increasing numbers of the electorate do not turn up at the polls or many are influenced by the “money factor”. To the average South African corruption has besieged every step of the way of governance. There is a widespread belief that the members of political parties are all the same.

Voters tend to believe what they believe, largely because we are not “issue” voters. This is quite evident in political parties making fake promises during political campaigns without being held accountable if they assume power. We don’t talk about the issues and deal with them.

Civil society, from grassroots to big organisations, the media, and religious organisations have a great part to play and must add their voice whenever corruption rears its ugly head in any level of government. One of the main things that fuels government corruption is the lack of a clear line between what is government and what is politics. MS S LAKHI Mooi River