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Corruption and Morality

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By Philos Zambianos ([email protected])

Corruption: Noun

– Lack of integrity or honesty (especially susceptibility to bribery); use of a position of trust for dishonest gain

– Inducement (as of a public official) by improper means (as bribery) to violate duty (as by committing a felony)

I must admit that I did not quite expect the controversy that erupted from my earlier article here on corruption and morality. As I read the comments on it, I was amused, intrigued and irritated. The people that irritated me are the ones who did not bother to fully read and understand my article in context. In this group are those who claim (among other things) that I am corrupt, I encourage corruption or have succumbed to it, not to mention the censorship freaks.

All the people who argued against the thesis of the article did not address its central argument of morality application in the context of force. It is important to be fully conscious of this foundational issue if you are to argue intelligently. I would like the naysayers to state what is logically wrong with the principle that when another person uses force against you, the obligation to follow the normal rules of morality is no longer applicable with respect to that specific situation. In other words, how can you talk about morality when the conditions for “normal morality” (i.e. absence of force) no longer exist?

If Angola sends troops to invade Zambia, would it make sense for us to sit and be butchered because it is supposedly immoral to send our fighter planes to bomb our neighbour (with the loss of innocent lives)? Imagine if that was the logic used during the time of Hitler, Mussolini and the Japanese. In times of peace, it would obviously be immoral and wrong to bomb Angola. So the idea that corruption is wrong, no matter what the circumstances, is obviously senseless (and rather silly) when you understand it from the angle of force.

Just south of our border, we have a tinpot despot called Robert Gabriel Mugabe who has turned Zimbabwe into a personal chiefdom where he rules supreme. The SADC and African Union leadership has failed miserably to sort him out but they keep claiming that “African problems need African solutions”. What stupidity! The situation there no longer falls under the normal rules of morality because Mugabe does not respect human rights and is using force against his own people.

So I find it ludicrous that Morgan Tsvangirai, Thabo Mbeki and other hopeless African leaders keep advocating going back to the negotiation table to talk endlessly while people are starving and dying everyday. What nonsense! Mugabe needs to be overthrown by all means necessary including (but not limited to) nationwide street protests, full-blown economic sanctions, expulsion from SADC and AU, invasion by other countries or covert assassination plot funded by the American CIA and British MI6.

I know a certain person that bought a piece of land for farming but could not obtain title deeds to the land for over ten years (this is not an exaggeration). More than half of that period was during Levy Mwanawasa’s tenure by the way. Their file kept getting lost or the person who was signing the papers was attending a workshop or there was a funeral for some director, etc. This person steadfastly refused to pay any bribes and they paid dearly for it because during that period, they could not develop the land for fear that it could get repossessed anytime since it was legally not theirs. They suffered many economic hardships as the money they had earmarked for their farming projects ended up being used for living expenses. They even ended up selling some of their property just to get by.

The idea that I am succumbing to corruption when I am being held to ransom just does not make sense. I reiterate that when force is used against you, it no longer makes sense to talk about morality. I had a Nigerian Christian friend who had to bribe people in his country just to get a visa to go study in England. He would not have got it any other way no matter what he did.

I am amused at how naïve people can get when they talk about how we can easily eradicate corruption in Zambia. They fail to realise that the whole corruption thing is an “ecosystem” to borrow a word from one of the comments on my earlier article. Firstly, the police are corrupt so how do they even arrest offenders? The courts are full of underpaid overworked people. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is also staffed by people that can be bought. As we learnt from the era of former president Frederick Chiluba, Ministers and even presidents can be totally corrupt. How do you kill an entire ecosystem like that? By praying and confessing to God? Give me a massive fat break!

One question I wish everyone to ponder is whether paying someone at the passport office to get a passport in one day is wrong. Think about it. How long should it take to produce a passport? There is nothing complicated about it. It is just a bunch of papers, ink and plastic put together by a machine. So why should it take a week or a month to get a passport? Did you know that it takes less time to produce a brand new Mercedes Benz S-Class car with thousands of complex parts than it takes to produce a Zambian passport?

The truth is that the officers at the passport office (registration card office, road traffic, lands department, etc.) deliberately slow down things so that people get frustrated and offer to pay them to fast forward the process. Even if there is an express service, it is still useless if it takes days. So if I pay some clerk K300,000 and get my new passport in one day (which is actually the “normal” time it should have taken in the first place), is that really corruption?

editor
editorhttp://www.lusakatimes.com

86 COMMENTS

  3. I really feel like vomiting , and opening my bowels reading THIS rubish article. My brother or is it shebrother what on earth are you talking about? You seem to be a very frustrated psychotic individual what help do you need . We may help you . All I can decipher from your article is nonsense, immaturity, childish thinking. Sorry if am wrong.

  8. It’s too long ba LT – where will we find the time to read this?

    We’re not civil servants or NatSave employees to waste ten minutes reading an article, no matter how good it may be.

  9. Kwena mwaponta mukwai. I always thought that ukulinganya a.m.a.p.o.l.o kula p.o.n.o.s.h.y.a. I might as well follow and be part and parcel of the ‘ecosystem’

  11. Have you seen this guy’s name?? Philos Zambianos?? Is this guy Zambian nangu he was picked up in Angola or Mozambique?

  12. If you have not earned it(honestly), its not yours.
    Do not take advantage of your position. Ati ba chairman or
    Landlord nzelu kuipa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  13. Corruption is a sign of a deeper problem. Trying to soothe the problem does not make it go away. Deal with the root. This article is as dry and as useless as the first one because it does not suggest ways to deal with the root cause. Please stop wasting your own time and our with shallow analysis.

  14. My brother,just to be more Frank and Open with you,i found there was much sense in the previous article than this one.Reasons:
    I think you should go back to study social studies.Go back to understand what Southern Rhodesia and The U.K agreed as what would happen after independence and how prime minister TB’s gov manipulated the agreement.You should go back also to understand a few principles of economics then get to the ground to know who is sanctioning Zimbabwe.Have a heart for Zimbabweans.Africa never ever govern others but others govern Africa which a HERO like uncle BOB has denied and has proved to be one of Africa’s strong leaders who cannot be shaken by any external forces.Where a

  17. 4. Mwana Muchende
    Goodmorning !! My first Entry was when I was home. Now nafika kun Nchito!

    Awe nabukafye bwino!!

    Still No Comment on this article!! I will come again later.

  18. Where apart from Africa can a foreigner get land for free and refuse to share?How do you allow to be recolonized when you have achieved freedom?Why do always have to think that whatever a Muzungu says is Right?Why do you need to invite another person to come and settle your marital problems?Lack of self esteem?Do you think SADC knows not the friction between Zim an the U.K?Are you more/much oriented with zim situation that the political giants in SADC?Brother,if we had 15 people of your reasoning then i bet AFRICA would remain a beggar for as many centuries as possible.ANYWAY YOU HAVE WONDERFUL TOPICS ,THOUGH this one has brought into my mind that you are somewhat lacking understanding an

  21. The article is thought provoking. Let me just sum up my answers/comments

    “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins”

    and

    “He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy”. (Proverbs 28 vs 13)

  25. Indeed philos your articles are always well articulated,i like the way you balance the views.Corruption is simply a way of life it will and will ever be there as long as humanity continue to exist ,no wonder we are not the same in life just like we all cant be lawyers or soldiers,so life is balanced with corrupters included :d

  26. Good morning all!!

    Niyabwanji article iyi? This chap is literally advocating that we overthrow Mugabe or what? Its not making sense mwee! Abena Jenks, Baby C ati how kanshi? 😮

  31. Contrally to what many bloggers have deduced as an attempt by the guy to promote corruption he is just stating the real fact about what happens on the ground .Guys this is the way the world has shaped itself so we are all powerless whether you want to apply your principles or morals

  32. Ba Moze

    Where did you go? Its a policy here to notify your family, that you wont be around for some days. have you forgotten? Gazzie is not amused at all!

    Zoe

    Morning love!

  35. For sure , I really supported your position.Its kinda of animal farm situation were some animals are more equal than others.For 8 months that I worked for GRZ i could imagine that one day I might go behind bars for an offence committed by my superiors.

  36. Baby C

    I wish to apologise strongly for just walking away. Iwas out of town dear. Am i forgiven? Sinizabwezapo futi please!

  38. Ba Moze u shud be saying were u r goin,dnt jus disappear.Yesterday it was kafwafwa,Baby C n I wer almost man handled on the “Is my life valuable”thread.Ngatwalifwa if we dint dfend ourselves.

    Baby C, am cool dear.Lelo kunashako blogging kuti bakumina.

  40. Zoe

    Ati shani?? 😮

    Who had the nerve to treat you ladies like that? Njebeni nombaline so!! I will never leave like that anymore. Mawee!!
    Ati shani? Kamba futi!!:-?

  41. Ba Moze, Baby C,Pumpy,Zoe,Jenks,Jamaco.Luapula Fish and the rest goodmorning. yaba tachelwa lero na weekend fever. comment later!

  42. Wiseman-Reborn1,Lubasi Nalisila-David nima bloggers kaufela mulumele,mubangana hahulu bati.The article is irritating.why have we lost morality?

  44. I wish I could have even a quater of the time “Philos'” spent to write the above article. I would definately produce something worth reading and above all, profitable enough as not to rely on corruption to fatten myself. 😮

  47. Corruption in Zambia is endemic. It’s easy to criticise from the comfort of a less corrupt country. Give the bro a break. He doesn’t profess to be an expert, but rather gives the bloggers a chance to debate the issue.

  48. Zoe

    You are right on #38! But the problem is, Lt is too addictive am currently offline. Wanna cross?

    ba Moze

    You are forgiven. Hope you didnt go to Mazabuka again.

  50. Author

    In future, please mention a name of someone who is corrupt so that we debate extensively. Thats what we want. Dont give us your opinions here ka? Uleumfwa? In short, this article has no substance. Come to think of it, you actually sound corrupt to me!!! 😕

  52. Not yet crear about this article but it seems some paragraphs are making sense. let me go through it once more. nikudala pe tenze ku sikulu so understanding ichisungu is difficulty sometimes

  57. most of you bloggers are touched with this article,deeply embedded in it.it has become a way of life for most of us,beautiful houses in chalala built by civil servants on the expense of all zambians and then ask them how much they get,imagine the unemployd and the villagers. the national cake has to be shared equally no one is more equal than others.As long as this kind of selfishness continues,we will see britain coming back to colonise us.SHUSHANI!!!!

  58. There are certain rules that apply when one feels threatened!! These Rules only emerge or rather apply in this one “particular” situation!! Especially when the threat is not only on one individual but also on his/her offspring. This is the time when you feel your life is at stake!! Please note that the word “feel” here is used intentionally. Up to this point no physical action justifies that THREAT!! In other words you have just been threatened verbally. In this situation there is literally NO NEED for you to become a Victim of any Force by taking immoral measures. That means you shall not engage in any form of Corruption!! to be continued….

  59. CONTINUED FORM 58…

    The other side of this Coin is the ugly one. A situation where you are attacked physically. You can locate your Enemy!! In this situation you will react and also use force to fire back!! Innocent people may also become victims of your act. Still your action is based upon physical proof that someone attacked you!!

    The moment I want my freedom is the moment someone else loses theirs!!
    The moment one decides to abuse me , is the moment they are ready to be abused themselves.
    The moment someone decides to act in a corrupt way, is the moment this person is ready to take the consequences!

    Everyone will do what is necessary to protect his/her being!!

  62. Ba Moze, Dont worry about Matworld.He is going to be blogging but not so much. you will be seeing his comments once in a while.

  63. It appears the protuberance of corruption in Zambia has become too apparent that some of the rapacious human monsters pretending to be our political leaders are finally going to face the music for their ruinous plunder of the nation’s livelihood.

  64. There are many rancid rascals that have chosen to prey on Zambia’s suffering masses by way of abusing public office or whatever privilege they may be having over access to various resources. especially this one b-)

  65. Corruption as defined in the official laws of the country is very different from corruption as it affects the public. It is also very different from corruption as defined by public opinion. Official laws offer a technical definition of corruption that is based on evidence, intention and motivation while prescribing penalties that only the most incompetent defence lawyers will fail to avoid.

  66. Who needs Zambian police officers that admire criminals and run after them pleading for crumbs! thats why I will never come to your country Zambia.

  67. LT, can we please have a balanced selection of topics in a week? IMO we’ve had at least 5 different stories on corruption & alone this week.
    What else can we comment that has not already been said?

  69. Philos, whatever, you are entitled to your opinion, it looks like you have issues man, ease up and smoke a blunt or somethin’ :d

  70. ‘So I find it ludicrous that Morgan Tsvangirai, Thabo Mbeki and other hopeless African leaders keep advocating going back to the negotiation table to talk endlessly while people are starving and dying everyday. What nonsense! Mugabe needs to be overthrown by all means necessary including (but not limited to) nationwide street protests, full-blown economic sanctions, expulsion from SADC and AU, invasion by other countries or covert assassination plot funded by the American CIA and British MI6.’
    Are there people in mother Africa who think like Pilos? I am out of here.

  71. Peace Jamaco! Thank God it’s Friday indeed. It’s cold & rainy here so LT is the only place I was hoping to get some warmth but it seems to be a maze of complicated issues today. Let’s see what’s next…

  72. 70…Why have you left so soon? I surprised with this Pilos’ bloodthirsty reasoning. Comrade Pilos strikes me as a psychopath. Lets influence change in a non violent and democratic manner. Do you know what precedence Africa will be setting by allowing a covert assassination? The white world will be plucking out your leaders at will. Look beyond your noise you emotional nobody. You must be the kind that still revere a white man like we are still in the stone age. I might not agree with Mugabe but shedding blood has never been my craving. In fact, LT please remove this inciting piece of rubbish on this blog. Pilos Zambianos ‘The Vampire’

  74. Morning all!!

    The first article was well articulated.In this one, the author has shown a lot of anger, emotion & too jugdemental.For example, he is condemning pipo that did not agree with him in the earlier article saying “they did’nt read the article”. It’s not automatic that when one writes an article, then everyone should agree with you. We all learn from accepting different views.

    The Zimbabwe issue is a delicate one, & the language used by the author sounded too strong & very immature.

    Philos, you’re a good writer. You can improve even more, when you read widely & embrace your critics.

  75. 73 Ba Moze….I am glad you have noticed that as well. LT should also be responsible enough by uploading progressive articles and not ideas from psychopaths with little or no understanding of what it means to be a responsible citizen. I am shocked, you mean in today’s Africa we still have people that reason like Pilos? So sad indeed. Anyway, let me look for a better topic to contribute on than this piece of trash. By the way, the Tanzanian government has bailed out its airline what’s your take Ba Moze or I shall I say fellow bloggers in general….

  76. Corruption usually thrives where decision making has to go through many layers of management. There are people in Zambia who try to do a good honest job but they are in the minority.

    Has someone bothered to find out the number of divorcees and those on second/third marriages in our cabinet? If one cannot commit to one partner how do you expect them to uphold high morale values of government?

  77. Irritated!
    Irritated because people disagree with you? No, irritation because you think that you have a good point which people cannot see. People who want to have their OWN way always get irritated when they don’t.
    I find the whole idea of moralising corruption an oxymoron. You must first determine whether your morality is absolute or relative. Who is the final arbiter for morality? You? Me? Society? God? In Saudi Arabia the Mufti has decreed that it is ok to allow girls as young as 10 to marry (because the Quoran allows it), but to many in the west that is immoral.

  78. What needs to be done inorder to kill this beast in Zambia is to set standards. I would like Mrs Mutiti (the Chief IO) to set the exact time that one should expect to get their passport. They should then audit themselves to ensure that they are meeting those targets. Then, at an extra fee, there should be an express service for shorter waiting time. Simple! Road traffic fines do not have to be collected on the sport. That will avoid paying for convenience. The policeman can simply issue a payment demand notice and the culprit could be given a certain amount of time to pay. No policeman should handle cash. Such simple rules could be extended to all state departments.

  79. The Inland Revenue authority in Zambia has gone a long way in raising revenue for the govt. Corruption is still there but it is not as it used to be. The IRA is set targets to reach. Similarly, each road traffic police department can be set targets to collect so much in penalties. Each cop will then have to fulfil that obligation before they can line their pockets. If they are using speed trapping, they can update this to video evidence so that each individual case is on record and the penalty received is accounted for.

  80. 76. the man
    More than one marriage does not prove inability to hold public office. Marriages are totally different issues and people can divorce even because of one’s dedication to their duty. Read Mama Betty Kaunda’s little book and you can see what strain their marriage was under while KK slaved for the nation. If she had been self interested, she would have divorced him.
    THE BEDROOM IS NOT LIKE THE BOARDROOM.

  82. I have failed to find proper reasoning on the arguments that the Author of this article is advancing for the sake of removing Zimbabwean Leader Mugabe from power and even obtaining a Zambian Passport in one day.

    Thus, to answer “One question I wish everyone to ponder is whether paying someone at the passport office to get a passport in one day is wrong. Think about it. How long should it take to produce a passport?” I would simply write that IT IS WRONG as 2/3 weeks which I believe is stipulated is very alright as the documents have to be read and their faithfulness established before issuance is granted!
    ===
    LT 2008 Award Winner. =; for Zambia in 2011.

  83. People’s moral attitudes differ from each other, however the law tries to uphold those that are common within society in its constitution. It may be moral to you to pay someone to fast track your documents but I think that it increases the chances of you being in a vulnerable position as the person may try to extort more out of you next time you try it. The law is there to protect you from such situation.Paying someone to get your passport is wrong in principle because its as good as that person running a passport business,with support of government taxes which we pay, so how much money will he be making including wages?it’s distressing that Zambians have been forced into dire situations.

  84. Your arguments make sense but are weak against the notion of morality, may be if you worded it different because you are not looking at the consequences of the things that you are saying to be moral. it like saying to the whole of Zambia since there are no contraceptive in the country lets just sleep around without protection, because we’ve been forced to. What do you think the consequences of that are going to be?weigh out your argument before you put it forward.

  85. Lover of Zambia (Philos Zambianos) you could stop trying. There is no end to any argument which depends on love of wisdom but only on fscts.

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