"No Room for Corruption" -- Chido Mpofu

Entering a lovely, welcoming local police station, I was so proud to see a very important framed piece of paper claiming that the country had a zero tolerance on corruption. It was very convenient that it was in a police station as they are the enforcers of the law.

These people should be commended for the amount of work they do each day to bring about a peaceful environment. It is almost as if there is a zero percentage crime rate. With smiles on their faces, they attend to you in a civilised manner. Everyone is treated equally. That day I happened to be standing in a queue in front of our honourable President and I was asked to go before him to his surprise. They said it was because I had arrived first. If you commit a crime, you are dealt with sternly to the extent that you generously offer them a token of appreciation from your empty pocket for them doing their job. Without being forced to, it is a personal choice that everyone has made at least once.

Our sunscreen manufacturing companies must be the most successful industries as the traffic police are constantly in the sun patrolling the roads hence why we have the safest roads. Most of them patrol without being told or expecting something in return but from the goodness of their hearts. This is true leadership as they put everyone’s needs before theirs.

If it is so that you have committed a crime worthy to go to court, which is rare, you are guaranteed justice. Regardless of whom you are or whether the judge is your mother or husband, you receive what you deserve. A month ago to everyone’s surprise, the Minister of Defence Forces’ son was caught breaking the law. The father made no attempt to save him but believed he must suffer the consequences of his action. Even though he had enough money to bail his son out, he decided the two year sentence should help his son to be a better person. This is a good example emphasising that there is no room for nepotism.

With all this in mind, the police happen to be the most malnourished, skinny people in the country. They only rely on taxes paid by people as a salary, nothing else. The government does not want to discomfort their citizens by imposing ridiculous taxes, lest they all migrate to a country equally as safe as ours, South Africa. Therefore the police are paid starving wages. As little as our taxes are, we see reasonable change in the country. We have level roads with no sign of potholes and the best rust free railway system. As if it is not enough, our airline has been voted the best in Southern Africa- always on time, safe and very efficient.

This reinforces how there is no room for corruption, misuse of money or unfair treatment of people. This has led to a negative net migration as many people come from other countries to live in a safe environment such as this country.

Chido Mpofu