It is with regret that yesterday we learnt of the serious Gacaca bribery scandal in which prominent National Bank of Rwanda director Damascene Nkurunziza sought release of a relative by offering cash bribes to the president of the Nyarugunga Gacaca court.

While the silver lining is that justice in this case has not been diverted, the dark grey cloud is that for every Nkurunziza, there are many more who are successful in their attempts to bypass the law and order of this country.

Secondly, The New Times would like to acknowledge the reason why we know about this scandal—and understand the depth of its problem today; Antoine Mupende.

The power and potency of corruption lies in its appeal to certain animal instincts; riches, survival, power. This is what was offered by the young BNR employee, in the form of a total of Frw200,000.

To many this is tempting, and to some irresistible. We have Mr Mupende, a true Inyangamugayo today to thank, and it is hoped that many take his action as an inspiration.

Accepting bribes benefits none of the parties involved. Although any amount can do, it is nothing in the long-run.

To prosper because of this, rather than simply sustain oneself for mere days, is extremely remote.

No good can come out of accepting bribes for anyone, and sadly, the most prone and affected victims are those uninvolved; the general public and health of Rwandan society and recovery.

There is good reason why this government takes corruption so seriously. The mistakes of the past are well documented and though it may be hard to swallow the sacrifice we all must make to our personal good, they are necessary sacrifices.

That comes in not offering bribes, and as Antoine Mupende has so well showed, not accepting them.

We need many Mupendes in the teaching service, the judiciary, the civil and public service, and every walk of life.

For, to wax Biblical, and for an all encompassing guilty example, Judas Iscariot never made anything at all out of the thirty pieces of silver paid him for delivering Jesus to his enemies, except death. 
Ends