SA is rotten to the core with corruption

WE ARE a nation of thieves. There’s isn’t anything we don’t steal.

Corruption and looting of state funds and resources are so common that it’s become part of life in the public service.

No government department, parastatal, local council or public institution is left untouched.

Look at Eskom, once the engine room of our economy. Load shedding at an unprecedented level is ruining our economy.

Before, we would hear that the power generation plants couldn’t cope with the demand and they tripped. Then we heard that some power stations had to be shut to carry out repairs and maintenance. Now we hear that the Tutuka power station couldn’t be repaired because R1.3 billion worth of the maintenance and repair equipment had been stolen by Eskom employees and contractors. The Guptas have fled with the loot and the Zondo commission has exposed all the government officials implicated in state capture.

We thought that would be the end of the looting spree, but none of the big boys has yet been dragged to court to face the wrath of the nation.

Parliament has unearthed that our government officials had been partying during lockdown. When I was watching the Number 10 Downing Street lockdown parties saga unfold in England, I thought how responsible our government ministers were. How wrong I was.

They used our money – R1.4 billion – to have a good time while the poor were starving. And what will happen to them? Would they face criminal prosecution or would they be fired? Nothing whatsoever. They may even get a promotion. We live in a rotten state.

THYAGARAJ MARKANDAN | Kloof