The ABCs of corruption
Yollander Millin
Corruption is like a virus. A worm that has rendered our societies absolutely useless. Being an enemy that comes to steal, kill and destroy as it is inscribed in the Bible. It is well, and it is alive, even from our rudimentary years. It thrives in each and every one of us because in place of Ubuntu, it has become our way of life, our culture.
By way of definition, corruption is abuse of entrusted power for personal gain. This means anyone who has power at any given time has the capacity to be corrupt. Starting at infancy, we already have the audacity to manipulate those that surround us, choosing what we want to eat, to do, or to possess, but in that, making exchange promises because we have already been accustomed.
For example, Pretty, an elementary level youngster, proposed to her brother John that should he eat her sadza for her, she would give him goodies from her lunch-bag. (let’s hold this thought)
Corruption can take many forms, and includes various unethical behaviors like bribery, theft, nepotism among others, that deprive humanity of dignity and respect. Nepotism is the act of awarding someone a job or a service on the basis that they are a friend or they are family and not on the premise of them being actually qualified.
Albert Nyathi, a famous musician from Bulawayo once sang a song long back in the 90s, with the lyrics “uyu mwana wanhingi…. imisebenzi ayikho bayanikana.” He was alluding to the corrupt act of nepotism where those in position of awarding job places were only placing those that were dear to them. This is sound, flourishing and blossoming in our day to day living today and most businesses are losing profits and closing down due to this element and aspect.
In February in the year 2024, a clerk at a local High School, who was in charge of receiving and receipting school levies was caught at fault after petty cash funds had been constantly falling short. He confessed that he thought these were small amounts that wouldn’t be noticed. Yet still that was theft, which is another example of corruption.
The above examples show that corruption can happen anywhere, at school, at work and yes at home. Without probable realization the simplest of things we do and entertain are allowing us to breed unethical generations who find corruption to be the way of life. And, going back to Pretty and John’s story, Pretty was being corrupt and that was bribery.
The question to ask ourselves in this becomes, if she is already actively being corrupt, while still in rudimentary level, what will she be capable of when she turns 18, or 35 or just simply, older?(food for thought)
What then are the Basics of corruption?
Corruption can take many forms, and can include behaviors like:
- public servants demanding or taking money or favors in exchange for services,
- politicians misusing public money or granting public jobs or contracts to their sponsors, friends and families,
- corporations bribing officials to get lucrative deals
Corruption can happen anywhere: in business, government, the courts, the media, and in civil society, as well as across all sectors from health and education to infrastructure and sports.
Where does corruption happen: in shadows or behind closed doors. This is often with the help of professional enablers such as bankers, lawyers, accountants and real estate agents, opaque financial systems and anonymous shell companies that allow corruption schemes to flourish and the corrupt to launder and hide their illicit wealth.
Corruption can involve anyone: politicians, government officials, public servants, business people or members of the public.
and
Corruption adapts to different contexts and changing circumstances. It can evolve in response to changes in rules, legislation and even technology.
This article serves as an introduction to the topic of corruption, giving the basics and simple examples. In the next article we shall look at the types of corruption and eventually we will address the gendered implications of corruption. … to be continued