Is corruption so endemic?

Editor, The news headlines have been filled with reports on allegations of corruption for the last few months. Just recently many senior leaders have been arrested by the National Police on allegations of corruption.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Editor,
 
The news headlines have been filled with reports on allegations of corruption for the last few months. Just recently many senior leaders have been arrested by the National Police on allegations of corruption.

While, they might be found innocent of all charges, let us not forget that they are merely suspects, its worrying that, as accounting standards are improved nationwide, more and more leaders are finding themselves in hot soup.

While the prosecution of the lawbreakers is a welcome respite, if you compare it with trends in many sub-Saharan African Countries, it’s scary just how many people are in jail or in court over charges of corruption.

While prosecuting people who steal public funds is proper, I think that we are treating the symptoms and not the real disease.

The question that people should ask is, "why don’t these leaders have the moral compass that tells them that stealing public funds isn’t something that they should aspire to?”

Is there something that children can be taught in school that will give them a greater love for their country, because, in my opinion, stealing public funds is a treasonable act; more especially when one realises just how poor Rwanda is.

Nyamirambo