Danger of familiarity

AT the heart of corruption and abuse of authority is the seed of familiarity. Officers become too familiar with their work environments and begin to ignore the tenets, ethical standards and moral responsibility they owe but fail to execute because there is little or no retribution. They are impervious to reason, totally averse to criticism and instead adopt rigid stances borne from their misguided self-importance that has no relationship to the nature of their appointment. They become a law unto themselves and unless prodded by a higher authority, they are likely to wreak havoc to the institutions that they manage. Sometimes constant reshuffles at the top of institutions helps to rejuvenate energy, reduce familiarity and engenders creativity which will result in a beneficial outcome That is why officers in the traffic section of the Zambia Police and in many sections of the force conduct themselves with impunity because corruption is not only endemic but has become the culture of the institution. The officers can mount road blocks at will because of the clear understanding that retribution will not follow. This represents a systematic failure totally fatal to the rule of law which stipulates that no matter how powerful, no matter how well connected, each and every individual must be subject to a standard conduct that is in accord with the societal ethos. Corruption is anathema because it erodes public confidence in institutions of governance and when individuals begin to display impunity publicly, it indicates an urgent need for stringent, unequivocal retribution. Such retribution must be public, clearly pronounced and those involved must be left in no doubt that society looks down on their conduct. Unless this is done, graft becomes corrosive, it eats into the moral and fibre of national endeavour. Nothing is sacrosanct, there are no standards. It is dangerous and definitely not healthy for any institution to operate without checks and balances because institutionalised misconduct which results in corruption becomes the norm and perverts the very purpose for which that institution was established. This country has many challenges which include the realisation of a vision towards industrialisation that leaves nobody behind. There is no room for drifting without direction. Those who fail must be shown the way to make room for many others whose zeal, creativity and good intention this country will benefit from. This newspaper has carried many scandals, some huge involving billions of Kwacha, expropriated, externalised and abused in all manner of form and yet institutions of government have failed to respond appropriately. These same institutions will feel quite comfortable to demolish a house built on disputed land even where the facts have not been established. The double standards are not only a threat to our national cohesion but are a danger to our existence as a unitary nation. Far too many senior people have become familiar with their positions and have therefore become unresponsive even when their conduct is glaringly corrupt and an abuse of public goodwill. As a political state, holding a social contract with the public there is need to reinforce the social contract and eliminate those who have put personal interests before national good.