By Marimuthu Subramoney
aka Subry Govender
"So many sacrifices were made for this country. But everything is being destroyed. You (Gandhiji) gave direction to this country but these people are destroying it.''
These were the anguished sentiments of a veteran anti-corruption crusader in India, 73-year-old Anna Hazare, when he embarked on a "fast-unto-death" campaign in the Indian capital, New Delhi, last Tuesday. Mr Hazare wanted to highlight the rampant corruption that is plaguing India and also to get the Indian Government to negotiate with civil society groups about framing an anti-corruption law, the Lokball Bill.
Shri Hazare, who was an associate of Mahatma Gandhi in the non-violent freedom struggle against the former British colonial power, made it clear to Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, and his government that civil society must be involved in tightening the Bill, which has been on the drawing boards of various governments for the past 42 years.
Shri Hazare's campaign captured the imagination of all sectors of Indian society and people in more than 400 cities and towns came out in droves to support him and also to join in hunger strikes. The people carried placards that read, "Join India's second freedom struggle" and "Rid corruption now".
One of the prominent people who came out in support of Shri Hazare was popular socially-conscience actor, Amir Khan.
In a letter to Prime Minister Singh, Khan said: "I am one of over a billion citizens of this country who is affected by, and most concerned about, corruption in our country. The last few months have witnessed shocking exposes. I am one of the many who feel that strong steps need to be taken as corrective measures…It is, therefore, with great hope and humility that I request you to pay heed to the voice of Mr. Anna Hazare."
The massive anti-corruption campaign around the country woke the Manmohan Singh Government from its "slumber" because there were fears of the "new revolution" becoming bigger than first anticipated. The Government conceded to the demands of the Hazare movement and now both parties will draft stringent regulations to crack down on politicians, officials, and other government office bearers who indulge in corruption.
Moving from India to our country, we find that fraud and corruption is just as all pervasive. But the crucial question is that what has happened to our veteran freedom fighters? Why are they not speaking out openly and loudly against the corruption that seems to have become deeply ingrained in government departments, provincial governments and local authorities?
This rot was highlighted this past weekend when the Minister of Co-Operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Sicelo Shiceka, was reported to have wasted millions of rand of taxpayers' money on himself, his friends and family on luxury trips overseas and for accommodation in super five star hotels in Switzerland and Cape Town.
In the eThekwini Municipality alone, allegations are rife of widescale fraud and corruption. There are allegations that the wife and son of a senior official had been awarded muncipal tenders; another senior official's wife was also rewarded with a contract; municipal officials and several councillors have obtained contracts for various jobs despite the fact that this is illegal to do so; the children of a council big wig enjoyed special privilege when being awarded tenders; and one senior official even entering into an illegal relationship.
Locally, it has also been alleged that a councillor's wife had been granted a contract for some municipal work.
While many former struggle stalwarts speak out against this evil in private, not many of them have the courage of an "Anna Hazare" to launch an open campaign.
One or two voices have, however, been heard against the corruption that is sweeping the country.
Cosatu secretary general, Mr Zwelinzima Vavi, who previously had spoken of vultures in Government, last week recalled the life of the late former ANC president, Oliver Tambo, when he spoke of the "feeding frenzy" that has gripped the ANC.
Vavi, by no means a "Anna Hazare" of South Africa, expressed the view that Tambo "must be turning in his grave about the rot the ANC is tolerating" when addressing a trade union conference in Johannesburg.
He warned: "Unfortunately, despite us prioritising corruption, in reality corruption is getting out of hand. We must avoid the kind of feeding frenzy that has gripped countries such as Angola and Kenya, where corruption is the order of the day.
"The social order in such states allow the first family to feed first, followed by cabinet ministers and provincial leaders, while the poor are left with nothing. If we are not careful and don't turn the bus, making it face a different direction, we will find ourselves there like Angola and Kenya."
Only a few days later, the Minister of Higher Education, Dr Blade Nzimande, who is also the secretary general of the South African Communist Party, also warned about the evils of corruption when he addressed students at the University of Zululand this past weekend. He acknowledged there might be some within the Communist Party who were also involved in corruption and called for a "clean up".
It appears from all accounts that corruption is becoming the order of the day and we too must unearth a "Anna Hazare" before it's too late. We fought for freedom so that the new South African Government will create opportunities for all citizens to enjoy a better quality of life. We did not fight to create opportunities for a few to enrich themselves through fraud and corruption at the expense of the vast majority.
We should not, as Vavi says, allow our beautiful South Africa to go the same route as Angola, Kenya and other countries. There must be a "Anna Hazare" out there who is prepared to emerge from retirement to lead an anti-corruption campaign in South Africa as well! - Subry Govender, Chief Editor
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