Good Business Basics: Killing of witnesses is illustration of collapse of consequence management
One must hope that the fact that the killing of Deokaran has elicited comment from the president himself is an indication that the tide has turned.
In my column of August 19, I referred to the resources accompanied by a total lack of morality that the corruption kingpins bring to their actions, particularly when it came to dealing with those who threatened their illicit enterprises.
I was therefore chilled when I read of the killing of senior Gauteng Health Department official Babita Deokaran late last week, which has been conclusively linked to her imminent testimony in corruption cases being investigated by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU).
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It crystallised for me a comment that a caller made on the radio, to the effect that all our efforts to eradicate corruption will come to naught, because we are a country essentially ruled by criminals. Any cursory review of the top leadership of nearly every province, district or local municipality will reveal a veritable ‘rogues gallery’ (pun intended) of individuals tainted by allegations, or actual infractions involving corrupt acts.
The fact that ‘tainted’ individuals have managed to progress up the ranks, indeed cynics might use the word ‘thrive’ despite these blackmarks against them, speaks volumes about the lack of consequence management from political or administrative principals.
Indeed, the callous and calculated killing of witnesses is the greatest illustration of this collapse of consequence management, giving the perpetrators impunity to act without fear of punishment.
One must hope that the fact that the killing of Deokaran has elicited comment from the president himself is an indication that the tide has turned, and that finally whistle-blowers and potential witnesses will receive the level of personal protection that they deserve, and for which resources are available.
Without this, the ultimate aim of the perpetrators to turn us into the ‘Gangster State’ that author Pieter Louis Myburgh describes in this book, ruled by fear, will have come to pass.
Vijay Naidoo is the CEO of the Port Shepstone Business Forum. He writes in his personal capacity.
The views expressed are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of this publication.
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