Letter from a Tanzanian inmate in a Hong Kong prison: Radical Measures needed to tackle the wanton corruption

12.09.2013

In Tanzania , sadly, corruption is a “low-risk, high-profit” venture that , as it grows more widespread, has become more inventive and less visible in practice. The sums at stake also grow larger.
Apart from the challenge of gathering evidence, anti-corruption officers must confront a more grievous problem : The selective application of the law, effective discipline based on the rule of law depending on treating all as equal before the law.
In their fight against corruption, authorities must be committed to catching both the ‘flies” and the “Elephants”. No one should imagine themselves untouchable by the law.
The reform must start targeting government administration by reducing officials’ ability to give and receive bribery - this will help to close some loopholes.
Economist have long said that corruption in Tanzania is directly linked to the contract-signings (investments’ schemes) whereby most officials put their ten percent (10%) kickbacks first and foremost in front of the nations’ interests. Strengthening disciplinary measures is equally important because of the bureaucratic inertia and mostly the crooked group of bribery takers (The 10% club) will fight tooth and nail to protect their cash cows.
In this respect, the disciplinary officers must lead by example. They must address the problem of insufficient oversight over colleagues of the same rank in other departments ; streamline and refine their operations ; and ensure their own system of oversight stands up to scrutiny.
Meanwhile, the case files also tell us that while corrupt officials might spend time thinking up ways to enrich themselves, an act of bribery often requires no effort at all. This exchange of money for power is easier than any business negotiation.
This reflects a failing of our ( Tanzania ’s) political system ; officials in high places are given power without sufficient checks, (just because they’re friends) which encourages abuse.
In this system, corrupt officials may easily hide their tracks, while complaints and charges of misconduct are often ignored, and corrupt officials may appeal to patrons higher-up.
Our new government must have this in mind when it emphasizes the checks and balances in its plan to tackle corruption.
We should follow the example of an anti-corruption drive in China. Since the new generation of leaders took power, the government is showing that it not only understands the urgency of tackling the problem but it also has come to some consensus on how to do it by building an effective system of controls. We have seen the trial of Bo Xilai (Princeling and ex-politburo member) followed by other big names such as Jiang Jiemin (former chairman of China National Petroleum Corporation and Politburo member), who have been relieved of their duties pending disciplinary probe.
This can be used as a wake up call for our government. My belief is that cleaning up the government is the key step in fighting corruption.
My beloved Tanzanian compatriots do not repeat the same mistake. In the 2015 election we must get rid of all bent politicians. We must get rid of all crooked politicians. We must get rid of all corrupted politicians, yes, we must get rid of all drug trafficking associates’ politicians. In the 2015 election we must vote in humble leaders, servants of the people - a corruption free and drug trafficking free government. We must get rid of all coward leaders who are too scared to rock the boat, who had decided to stand by the drug barons and not the people. My sisters/brothers in Press, we are speaking the same language “drug free, justice and equality”, so you should do more to create awareness to the people (please translate and publish our letters)
TZA Prisoner in HK

Mckenga Visit: www.v2catholic.com