Too much talk on corruption

THE Chief Ombudsman says there is “too much talking, and no action against graft” (The National, March 15) and for everyone – individuals and organisations – to do something to address corruption in the country.
The Chief Ombudsman needs to be reminded that people are willing to expose corruption provided they can be protected.
I have not seen in recent times any report of the Ombudsman Commission investigating and prosecuting corrupt political and public officials who have breached the leadership code.
This raises the question whether the Ombudsman Commission is operating, is asleep on the job, or if there are simply no cases of breaches of the leadership code that require the commission’s attention and investigation.
How can a situation like this even be possible when this country is rated among the most corrupt in the world? There is evidence of corruption out there and the Ombudsman Commission needs to do more to address the issue. For instance, he can set up a complaints desk with toll-free telephone numbers which people can use to dob in corrupt officials.
In recent years, there have been instances of leaders accused of being involved in highly suspicious and dubious dealings, but we have yet to see successful prosecutions by the Ombudsman Commission or the police anti-corruption and frauds squad.
Political and government leaders and officials should be held accountable for their illegal actions, yet the silence and absence of prosecutions give them a feeling of legality.
The Ombudsman Commission is mandated to “vigorously”, and “without any complicity”, implement the leadership code and prosecute those involved in corruption. Failing to act encourages the culture of “talking, and talking with no action”.

Lorenitz Gaius
Ketskets village