Tuesday, April 13, 2021
  • About Us
  • ImagiNATION
  • Adverts
  • Rate Card
  • Contact Us
The Nation Online
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Life & Style
    • Every Woman
      • Soul
      • Family
    • Religion
    • Feature
  • Society
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Chichewa
  • Enation
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Life & Style
    • Every Woman
      • Soul
      • Family
    • Religion
    • Feature
  • Society
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Chichewa
  • Enation
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home Columns Back Bencher

Politicians should stop the culture of impunity

by Backbencher
16/05/2020
in Back Bencher
4 min read
0
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on WhatsAppShare on LinkedinLinkedinShare via Email

Honourable folks, the campaign period is here, and along with it, the kind of delinquent mischievousness, irresponsibility and immaturity that we have grown to loathe.

In the past week alone, we have seen two political alliances, led by four people who really should know better, flout all the measures put in place to curb the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19) by holding mega rallies.

RelatedHeadlines

Tonse’s irrational fear of imperfection

The curtain closing on DPP

A final reflection on Magufuli

Honestly, it was disheartening to see the MCP-UTM and DPP-UDF alliances converge thousands of people in one place at a time when government has restricted public gatherings to 100 people to prevent contagion.

More so when the rallies did not adhere to some of the principles such as ensuring that people are provided with hand-sanitiser, stay one-metre apart and wear face masks when attending public gatherings.

To date, none of the alliances have been penalised for failing to adhere to government restrictions. And none has the decency to apologise for putting thousands of Malawians at risk of infection in their quest to amass enough votes to propel them to the coveted plot number one.

It seems that politicians in Malawi think they are above the law and that their principles do not apply to them. In their apparently flawed line of thinking, it is Ok to disregard city and government regulations so long as it serves their political interests.

Folks, APM, Atupele, Laz and SKC have shown that at best, they are not aware of the threat their strolls around town would pose to the fight against Covid-19, or at worst, they simply don’t care.

Sadly, the disregard for law does not end there. It extends to other equally, if not more important, laws on governance-particularly those designed to strengthen Malawi’s public financial management frameworks.

While the quartet were quick to gallivant around town to woo voters, none of them shows any real interest to walk to the office of the registrar’s office and declare their sources of political funding-a key provision in the Political Parties Act.

It is ironic, that the quartets—which also happen to lead four of the most powerful parties in the country and profess to be champions of the anti-corruption fight—do not appreciate the importance of this particular provision in the Act.

Folks, public sentiment out there is that unprincipled businesspersons fund political parties in return for lucrative government contracts, which are more often than not, awarded in dubious and fraudulent conditions once the party assumes power.

There is also a feeling that some of the proceeds from these shady deals end up in the parties’ coffers to fund political campaigns. Therefore, by declaring their sources of funding, political parties can let the public know who their benefactors are.

Presumably, the idea is that if the public knows who funded the governing party, the public would be able to note when the parties’ sympathiers are compromising their ability to reward government contracts on merit.

It would also show that the funds used in their reckless movements across the country were acquired legitimately.

It is also important to note that the DPP and MCP, the parties leading the two coalitions failed to present audited financial reports on how they used State funds they received in compliance with the Act.

Folks, one has to wonder what is in those reports and declarations these parties don’t want the public to see. Why is it so difficult for the self-proclaimed champions of Malawi’s campaign against corruption to declare how they get their money and how they spend it?

The backbencher is inclined to believe, that with all the negative publicity surrounding party funding and its alleged ties to fraud, enforcing compliance on parties’ financial management systems would be the first-line of defence as we seek to stamp out institutionalised corruption once and for all.

Enhancing the reporting mechanisms of political party financing could be Malawians best shot at ensuring that billions of donor funds do not end up lining up the pockets of unscrupulous party sympathisers.

Improved scrutiny on the relationships between political parties and their benefactors could be Malawi’s best chance at ensuring that the next generation of Malawian taxpayers do not end up paying hefty interest rates on loans that financed poor quality infrastructure project usually collapse within the first 10 years of their construction.

This is why that culture of impunity and disregard for the law should stop. It is high time these politicians started upholding the laws they swore to protect. Malawi’s bright and prosperous future depends on it.

Avatar
Backbencher
Previous Post

‘Prince Talal award is a special gift for NRWB’

Next Post

Ansah throwing spanners in the works

Related Posts

Chakwera | The Nation Online
Back Bencher

Tonse’s irrational fear of imperfection

April 10, 2021
Mutharika’s blue brigade-turned-foes:  Jeffrey discuss DPP affairs with Nankhumwa
Back Bencher

The curtain closing on DPP

April 3, 2021
Back Bencher

A final reflection on Magufuli

March 27, 2021
Next Post
Has refused to step down: Ansah

Ansah throwing spanners in the works

Opinions and Columns

Political Uncensored

Managing the dream

April 11, 2021
My Thought

Malawi needs fixing, not politicking

April 11, 2021
People’s Tribunal

Don’t intimidate Nyasaland Union of Teachers

April 11, 2021
Emily Mkamanga

Longevity in power no solution

April 11, 2021
https://www.mwnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/WFP-Afikepo-1-2.pdf https://www.mwnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/WFP-Afikepo-1-2.pdf https://www.mwnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/WFP-Afikepo-1-2.pdf

Trending Stories

  • Malawi Airlines is yet to post a profit since it took to the skies

    Malawi Airlines faces liquidation

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Covid-19 measures relaxed, bars open till late

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • After hypocrisy MCP, UTM will part ways

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Businesses say can’t breathe

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Court favours Unima on virtual graduation

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Values
  • Our Philosophy
  • Editorial policy
  • Advertising Policy
  • Code of Conduct
  • Plagiarism disclaimer
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use

© 2021 Nation Publications Limited. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Life & Style
    • Every Woman
      • Soul
      • Family
    • Religion
    • Feature
  • Society
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Chichewa
  • Enation

© 2020 Nation Publications Limited. All Rights Reserved.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.