EDITOR – Apart from a sense of outrage at the nature and extent of corporate criminality exposed by the recent construction industry collusion enquiry, one is left feeling deeply disappointed.
For years we have admired the performance and achievements of the construction industry. After all, many of the companies involved have been at the forefront of a developing South Africa, pioneers in many respects. The numerous magnificent buildings, bridges, highways, dams, stadiums and the like, found throughout the country, bear testimony. But what is their legacy now?
Equally disappointing is the response from those culpable. Not the slightest sign of remorse or contrition. On the contrary, it seems it's business as usual, with trading figures proudly broadcast. They do not deserve to be in business, but where would that leave the thousands of decent, law-abiding employees, many of whom are breadwinners? There would surely have been great anxiety at all levels?
Those sleazy corporate wonders at the helm and their shareholders should, at the very least, apologise to their own people.
What about an apology to the our local business people, all trying to compete legitimately, but excluded by a conniving brotherhood? Who will speak for them? Certainly not the many industry governing bodies, institutes and federations who claim to be custodians of the public interest and guardians of all things ethical. All have grand-sounding mission statements, codes of ethics and so on, all so virtuous, yet not not a peep from any of them on an issue which is a matter of national shame. It seems the country is beset by a veritable conspiracy of silence.
I am reminded of Edmund Burkes' admonition: “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is that good men do nothing.”
JEFF VAN BELKUM
