Wednesday, September 27, 2023
  • About Us
  • ImagiNATION
  • Rate Card
  • Contact Us
The Nation Online
Advertisement
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Life & Style
    • Every Woman
      • Soul
      • Family
    • Religion
    • Feature
  • Society
  • Columns
  • Sports
  • Enation
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Life & Style
    • Every Woman
      • Soul
      • Family
    • Religion
    • Feature
  • Society
  • Columns
  • Sports
  • Enation
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home Columns Emily Mkamanga

No power to corrupt people

by Emily Mkamanga
25/07/2021
in Emily Mkamanga
3 min read
0
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on WhatsAppShare on LinkedinLinkedinShare via Email

One of the best socio-political commentators and analysts Prof. Patrick Lumumba of Kenya was once quoted as having said: “In Japan a corrupt man kills himself, in China they will kill him, in Europe they will jail him and in Africa he will present himself for election.”

What Lumumba said is meaningful, especially in terms of how African countries treat corruption with kid gloves. This is the reason it has found a fertile ground and is deep-rooted in the majority of African countries.

It is common knowledge that corruption has brought Malawi to its knees. The countless fraud cases in the country whereby taxpayers’ money just disappears is due to corruption. It is very unfortunate that corrupt people in this country present themselves for election.

Obviously, this is to try and be in position of power, which can protect them as they continue with corrupt deals. They easily win the election because they have enough money to bribe their way into power. To such people, fighting corruption does not make any sense at all because it is the practice that has brought them into power.

In Malawi, a number of people are believed to be corrupt. Malawians have really suffered. At some point in the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)-led government one could not get services without bribing someone. In fact, Malawi was known as one of the most corrupt countries.

However, leadership seemed not to care. Malawi has not been called a corrupt country for fun. Imagine, the Chikangawa man-made forest, which was once a pride of Malawi, got depleted due to corruption. Dubious companies could be seen felling trees for timber. Lorry loads of timber could be seen heading for Tanzania and Kenya.

It is doubtful if this was a government arrangement. In fact, no one could confidently come out and tell Malawians how much came out from these timber exports. This is what putting corrupt people into power means.

The main problem in this country related to corruption has been that even if one reports suspects to relevant authorities nothing much happens—apart from authorities saying “the matter is being investigated”. That narrative would go on forever. The short of it is that there is no investigation at all.

During the DPP era of President Peter Mutharika there were often media reports about big sums of money missing in various government offices. Sometimes, government would show that it is doing something on the matter and yet nothing was done. For example, there were reports that huge sums of money were missing at Malawi’s foreign missions, but there was no conclusion to the matter.

It is only during the current the Tonse Alliance administration that some corruption suspects have been brought to court. Without doubt, this is a warning to would-be corrupt people that a day will come when the long arm of the law will reach them and, if found guilty, will be punished accordingly.

The worrisome thing about corrupt people is that when they are in majority, they can put themselves and their cronies in high public offices. The economy run by such people would always remain in a downwards spiral. Probably, this happened to Malawi previously. In fact, this may be the genesis of the abject poverty that people are suffering from today.

It is everyone’s hope that the Tonse Alliance administration of President Lazarus Chakwera and Vice-President Saulos Chilima will end corruption by arresting and giving heavy punishment to corrupt people. n

With Emily MkamangaFeedback: emilymkamanga@gmail.com

Previous Post

Rainbow Nation’s insurrection

Next Post

Tonse Alliance in self-destruct mode

Related Posts

Emily Mkamanga

Malawi’s potential alone means nothing

November 28, 2021
Emily Mkamanga

Wrong deals contribute to poverty

November 21, 2021
Emily Mkamanga

Wrong deals contribute to poverty

November 14, 2021
Next Post
Chakwera addresses Tonse Alliance partners

Tonse Alliance in self-destruct mode

Opinions and Columns

My Turn

Resolve DStv spat amicably

September 25, 2023
People’s Tribunal

Time for politicians to memorise the myth of Sisyphus

September 24, 2023
Big Man Wamkulu

I hear he is engaged to somebody

September 24, 2023
Musings on Corruption

Is ‘God-fearing’just a façade?

September 24, 2023

Trending Stories

  • Kept report under wraps: Chakwera

    Inside ‘hidden’ Reforms report

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • RBM wants suspension of judgement in ICT deal

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Court summons MDF on Chilima evidence

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Mysterious animal injures 9 people

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Kwacha fall threatens Inflation outlook—EIU

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Values
  • Our Philosophy
  • Editorial policy
  • Advertising Policy
  • Code of Conduct
  • Plagiarism disclaimer
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use

© 2023 Nation Publications Limited. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Life & Style
    • Every Woman
      • Soul
      • Family
    • Religion
    • Feature
  • Society
  • Columns
  • Sports
  • Enation

© 2020 Nation Publications Limited. All Rights Reserved.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.