EDITORIAL: Fighting corruption with one fist
The ‘whataboutism’ reaction by the Landless People’s Movement (LPM) this week after its councillors were arrested by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is comical. It equates to Swapo protecting its Fishrot looters.
Instead of introspecting, LPM claims the arrest of its officials is a witch-hunt. “When there is clear corrupt ongoing activities done by members of Swapo who are councillors, there is not even a written warning assigned to them,” the party said in a scathing statement. Read differently, this is the party’s way to dismiss current crimes made by 'my side' because “what about that time 'your side' got off?” And if this is our attitude, corruption – real or perceived – will thrive.
It shouldn’t matter who gets arrested first or last. But even on a balance of probabilities, more Swapo officials have been arrested over the years compared to LPM’s.
How many more Swapo members should get arrested before turning our attention to the corrupt within LPM and other opposition parties? Corruption knows no colour. Whether you wore the orange, black and green of LPM or the blue, red and green of Swapo, if you’re corrupt, you’re corrupt.
Corruption is a disease in our country and when it’s alleged – even close to home – we must allow due process to unfold instead of making a political spectacle. This is a battle for all of us to fight. From Paulus Noa and Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila to Bernadus Swartbooi and Toivo Ndjebela.
Instead of introspecting, LPM claims the arrest of its officials is a witch-hunt. “When there is clear corrupt ongoing activities done by members of Swapo who are councillors, there is not even a written warning assigned to them,” the party said in a scathing statement. Read differently, this is the party’s way to dismiss current crimes made by 'my side' because “what about that time 'your side' got off?” And if this is our attitude, corruption – real or perceived – will thrive.
It shouldn’t matter who gets arrested first or last. But even on a balance of probabilities, more Swapo officials have been arrested over the years compared to LPM’s.
How many more Swapo members should get arrested before turning our attention to the corrupt within LPM and other opposition parties? Corruption knows no colour. Whether you wore the orange, black and green of LPM or the blue, red and green of Swapo, if you’re corrupt, you’re corrupt.
Corruption is a disease in our country and when it’s alleged – even close to home – we must allow due process to unfold instead of making a political spectacle. This is a battle for all of us to fight. From Paulus Noa and Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila to Bernadus Swartbooi and Toivo Ndjebela.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article