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Punish corrupt officials

WHEN some of us took a conscious decision to get involved in the liberation struggle, we had a clear conscience that our involvement was to liberate black people from the shackles of political oppression, social discrimination, racism and economic exploitation.

WHEN some of us took a conscious decision to get involved in the liberation struggle, we had a clear conscience that our involvement was to liberate black people from the shackles of political oppression, social discrimination, racism and economic exploitation.

I would like to quote one of the greatest leaders that this country has ever produced, Bantu Steve Biko, when he described our struggle. He said: "We have set ourselves on a quest for true humanity and somewhere on a distant horizon, we can see a glittering prize."

In this quote Biko did not mean that the greatest gift possible was to squander public funds for our own selfishness and greed.

We have been inundated with reports almost daily on corrupt government officials.

A glittering prize that Biko describes has nothing to do with individuals but has everything to do with the entire nation.

Where there will be no oppression of men by men, social discrimination and economical exploitation.

The greatest gift possible that this country has achieved is corrupt government officials.

The recent reports on the awarding of contracts to Bosasa by the Department of Correctional Services under former minister Ngconde Balfour is a case in point.

There is also the firing of the acting director-general in the Department of Public Works, Solly Malebye, by Minister Geoff Doidge for refusing to award a contract to a company the minister has interests in without following the procurement procedures.

Then there is the misuse of a government credit card by Minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane who, by the way, is supposed to be leading a commission that deals with corruption in government.

Our country is plagued by service delivery protests while there is money available for service delivery.

It is because we have corrupt government officials who employ their incompetent pals, while leaving competent and qualified people who can drive service delivery.

The sad part is that all these criminal activities are done by black people.

Exam papers are also leaked by government officials to black pupils who will not be able to be competent in future.

Azapo calls for all those who are involved in corruption to be brought to book.

Vuyisile Wauchope Azapo deputy secretary for youth

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