Is President HH and His New Dawn Government Really Winning this “Battle” Against Corruption?

Is President HH and His New Dawn Government Really Winning this “Battle” Against Corruption?
A rant by Rev Walter Mwambazi

So, like the rest of all well meaning Zambians, I have been watching this fight and wondering if our law enforcement agencies really have the teeth and the resources to fight individuals who are alleged to have accumulated property and assets believed to be proceeds of crime.

Truth be told, this was going to be a tough battle especially if one takes into consideration the fact that’s the New Dawn government has been trying utilize the law and it’s enforcement agencies.

In short, this fight has been “by the book”.

Whilst that is certainly the way to go, the challenge is with the entire system. What must be appreciated is that it is a “rotten” system that requires a complete overhaul to work.

I mean, we have had some convictions and some forfeitures of suspected proceeds of crime but then… in it’s current state, we might as well be wishing on unicorns and fairies. It’s just not possible.

Here is why I think so.

What we must all accept as Zambians is this, we are at a place where the by products of poor governance and weak institutions produced a way of living that defines the current culture in this country.

This culture can be broadly categorized into three serious factors namely…

– Clan based thinking (where we have cronyism, nepotism and tribalism).

With this it is virtually impossible for anything to work on merit. A meritocracy is a dream in our present state. Even under the current government, many UPND members feel they are “owed” for their loyalty and patronage.

This makes cronyism a foundational factor for many decisions that are being made because it is expected! We are all witnesses to how much PHH was condemned for taking “forever” to appoint his team.

–  Corruption (a direct result of the above as the individuals in public office have no other motivation but self and their wellbeing)

Where clan based thinking rules, no merit exists. People are there because they are related to somebody. They have no real “competence” for the job at hand. And so they underperform and even feel threatened by performers, hence hounding them out of their space.

No progress will ever be achieved with such.

– Mindset (in which four predominant paradigms exist – entitlement, dependency, job mentality and receiver way of thinking)

Many employees in the civil service and quasi government institutions and organizations feel entitled, and are not really in their calling. As such, performance is sub par and best or non existent at worst!

And you expect stellar service? That is a pipe dream!

This entire whole scenario was started by those in the MMD in the 90s after they saw what happened to ministers and CEOs who were unceremoniously removed from office under the UNIP government. It was slightly (but not effectively) slowed down by Mwanawasa but went into overdrive from RB going forward.

By the time the PF came in, this vice was now on steroids as painfully witnessed. It is now a culture and the only way you change a culture is by getting rid of the self reinforcing mechanisms sustaining it.

That is going to take some serious political will on the part of the New Dawn Government.

As far as I am concerned, this can only work if our current head of state is prepared to entertain the prospects of being a one term president.

Is that doable? I still shall wait and see…