Tanzania’s war against grand
corruption: Are we winning?
FOLLOWING is an unofficial translation of a Kiswahili-language article titled ’Mafisadi Watashinda! - A Sombre Look’ posted by a political commentator, Mzee Mwanakijiji, on the popular online Internet forum
’I have now firmly come to the conclusion that efforts to fight corruption in this country will not succeed, since the perpetrators of corruption appear to be heading towards an easy victory! Despite a muted public outcry, corruption will continue to be entrenched and its deep roots will penetrate every sector of the government. All signs seem to indicate that corruption is not being carried out by a single individual, but is rather the product of a sophisticated criminal network made up of academics, politicians, and highly influential people in society.
’’When the term ’’Tanzanian Mafia’’ was first brought up, I thought it was just hyperbole (extravagant exaggeration). However, the information I have been receiving in the past few weeks, and the data that I have been getting especially after starting to write about this matter, clearly suggest that there does exist a ’’family of criminals’’ that is well-prepared and ready to use all means necessary to silence any efforts aimed at removing their bloodsucking teeth from the backs of Tanzanians’’.
’I won’t be surprised that when things get heated, senior investigative journalists will start to become victims of what authorities will inevitably describe as incidents of ’’armed robberies’’, thus creating a culture of fear among journalists and forcing them to take sides with the family of criminals.
’Just as a grown man may easily wring the hands of a child and drag him to where ever he may wish, corruption will continue to wield its evil influence over the nation and the majority of Tanzanians. The main goal is to ensure corrupt leaders continue to rule without being questioned. Corruption that will be unearthed later this year could compel the corrupt elements to unleash all their weapons to ensure the entire nation bows before them.
’As we head towards next year’s general elections, members of this powerful network of corruption will ensure their new team of leaders is voted into public office, particularly in parliament, to further safeguard their interests.
’A sizeable election war chest has already been set aside (this has also been stated by others before me) to ensure all those members of parliament who have been vocal against corruption, are defeated in the primary voting process. The goal is to ensure that the so-called rebel MPs who have been uncompromising in the fight against corruption, are axed from the National Assembly (in 2010). Independent newspapers will thus remain as the sole voices against corruption.
’This powerful criminal network is also keen to influence the selection of magistrates and judges, to ensure their people also penetrate into the nation’s justice system. We must analyse with an eagle eye and fully comprehend the appointments made in the judiciary.
’I regret to say that the perpetrators of corruption are likely to win the fight against corruption, and this is despite the government’s assertion that the ’’fight against corruption is ongoing.’’ They will win because of the following five reasons:
’(a) They are well organised, and have strategically positioned themselves better than those against corruption. The corruption fighters are a fragmented bunch!
(b) Members of the corruption network are well-funded. On the other hand, the corruption fighters in general lack resources, while the brave few who dare to use their own personal resources in the fight against corruption are turned against by the authorities, in order to frustrate such efforts. I personally have been advised not to choose sides in the ongoing public battle between corrupt forces and corruption fighters. I, however, will not waver from my stand on this issue, because neutrality is the position of the weak and the coward. I am neither weak nor a coward!
(c) They (corrupt elements) are well-connected to members of the ruling class, thanks to their corruption web which allows them easy access to any information they may want. On the other hand, the few corruption fighters in government or holding positions of power in public office, appear to be taking on the corruption forces at their own risk, with no one to protect them like endangered species.
(d) The corruption forces are not averse to using the government and its institutions to instil fear in the minds of the ordinary people, with suggestions that the ongoing fight against corruption could lead to a ’’breach of peace’’, or suchlike, and the issuance of threats to the effect that those who fight corruption will end up themselves facing legal action.
(e) The corruption forces are prepared to make any sacrifice to ensure they remain in power, or can continue to loot public funds. And in this, they are willing to use some people as scapegoats, merely to calm down growing public discontent, while the status quo remains.
’So where we are heading to, neutrality is not an option! It is only the weak and cowardly who will claim to be neutral. The rest of us will have to choose sides, or remain silent and wait for the victor in the battle of corruption forces versus corruption fighters! We are either against this criminal network of corruption through our deeds and not just words...or we join them!
’Is there any hope? Should we let this country go to the dogs? Should we retreat and surrender in the fight against corruption, and instead try to discuss other national development issues (if any)? Should we allow them to continue looting public funds? Or should we join them and fight them from ’’within’’?’
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