This beast is big and ugly.
It smells very bad. It has a suffocating stench. It cost the country K577 billion (now reduced to K236 billion). Malawians should protect themselves from this beast and its stench.
Instead of the stench going away, it is splattering everywhere and fast. Let us kill this beast; otherwise, its stench will get stronger, messier and will spread faster. At that time, it will be too late to find a deodorant to mellow the stench. I am not talking of a real animal, No! The beast is corruption.
Let me make it clear here that I am not interested in who stole more than the other. It does not matter to me whether more was stolen during the United Democratic Front (UDF) or Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) or People’s Party (PP) regime. What matters is that someone or some people stole our money. Whether they stole as individuals or as groups or as political parties is immaterial. What is material is that we should find these people, let them face the law and if found guilty, they should be punished accordingly. These people should not find refuge in the house of selective justice. Let all who have sinned be made and dance to rhythm of the law. That is the only way to that will change the corrupt practices in the country.
Doing this will not only act as a deterrent to future thieves but it will restore confidence in the political and judicial system. Of course, there has already been progress in the Cashgate where over 10 people have been convicted and others have been forced to pay back the money they stole from us. Yes, you and me. This was not their money, it was ours. It was our tax money, money that other taxpayers in other countries donated to us.
Yes, on this K577 billion (reduced to K236 billion) scandal investigations are ongoing. Yes, those mentioned so far are presumed innocent until proven otherwise by a competent court of law. But what is already in the public domain is shocking and heartbreaking, especially for a country like Malawi where poverty affects a big number of people.
As citizens we ought to be angry, sometimes I even think anger is not just enough; we must encourage the government to get to the root of this stench that weakens and diminishes all of us. Those that are responsible must be hunted down like rabid animals, be fished out and then pros-ecuted. Those implicated must have their day in the courts of law and made to face justice. At this time, it does not matter which party they come from, which district, what gender or religion. They are simply thieves!
It is, therefore, important that the government and opposition politicians should not mess up the investigations and the legal process by hasty or frantic pronouncements that prejudge the accused in the process of scoring political points. This issue is beyond party politics; this is a national tragedy. All those who have a conscience and believe in justice must unite to defeat this enemy. It is also important that the DPP government must not give the impression of unfairness, bias, witch-hunt or persecution in the prosecution of those accused of diversion of public funds for personal gain.
Since 1994, I have personally have had a good impression of the judicial system in Malawi. That is not to say it is perfect but it has shown in the majority of times that it can be relied upon. Court judgments must be respected, no matter government’s indignation. Otherwise, the court of public opinion which is quick to judge will conclude that the government has lost its sense of fairness and integrity. Let the Ju¬diciary do its work unfet¬tered, without undue interference or influence. Impunity cannot be a weapon in the fight against corruption.
Perhaps it is important to put the K236 billion in some perspective.
According to the 2016-17 Draft Financial Statements released by the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Development, this amount is 25 times more than the total amount the Malawi Government spent on road maintenance in 2014-15 financial year.
This K236 billion was enough to fund 10 times the amount spent on health (K22.8 billion) and education (K23.1 billion) in 2014-15 financial year respectively. In addition, if one compares the total domestically raised revenues that were spent on development budget for 2014-15 financial year which was close to K27.6 billion, it will be shocking to realise that the K236 billion stolen would have funded this development budget for a total of nine years!
So let us stop this nonsense of spending our energies on arguing who stole more from us among the various regimes (UDF, DPP and PP). The common and undeniable fact is K236 billon is unaccounted for. Some individuals took this money which was meant for everyone and used it for personal gain. These people are thieves. They stole our money. Let the law deal with them without favour, fear or political manipulation. If found guilty, they should be punished! This is not a party political issue; this is a right to development issue. It is stinking to reduce this debate to party politics. This is a simple case of thievery.
A vibrant writer who gives a great insight on hot topics and issues