‘In Africa, corruption has become a way of life.’ This was the message from Patrick Lumumba, former director of Kenya’s anti-corruption commission today. He was addressing the African Biblical Leadership Initiative forum in Lilongwe, Malawi.
Mr Lumumba launched a scathing attack on African politicians, accusing them of being ‘substandard’ and corrupt. But he also criticised the Church and judiciary for joining in endemic corruption.
‘Corruption means that Africa punches below its economic weight,’ he said. ‘And Africa suffers because our leaders don’t know how to lead.
‘Politicians use public office for personal benefit,’ he said. ‘Africa is poor and corrupt because of impunity. There is no punishment.’
Politicians had ‘bastardised democracy’ he said, holding flawed elections. Mr Lumumba condemned Western nations including the UK and America for ‘fertilising’ Africa’s political corruption.
‘The West is prepared for corrupt governments to remain in power, no matter who they are,’ he said. And he blamed Western governments for ‘underwriting’ leaders such as Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe ‘who have refused to leave the stage’.
But Mr Lumumba also attacked the Church – in the gathering attended by Church leaders – for also becoming corrupt.
‘The Church has not escaped corruption,’ he said. ‘Many Church leaders have lost the moral authority to speak about this.’
He said that ‘corruption would continue to thrive’ until ‘good things’ such as biblical leadership changed ‘hearts and minds’.
His words came against the backdrop of the Cashgate scandal in Malawi. It is alleged that officials siphoned some £35 million out of government funds.
An investigation by British auditor Baker Tilly revealed that payments were made to more than 200 people by government departments, in particular the police and the Army.
One junior civil servant was found with some $300,000 (£195,000) in bundles in the boot of his car.
David Smith, Head of International Programme at the British and Foreign Bible Society, which backed the event said, ‘Corruption is a vital issue everywhere: if we can’t trust our leaders to be honest then what can we trust them with? It undermines the bonds of society itself.
‘But in Africa, the effects of corruption are doubly bad because of poverty.
‘You only have to look at Malawi itself: in a country which ranks 192nd out of 194 UN countries based on GDP per capita and where the majority of the population are living on less than a dollar a day, the Cashgate scandal saw tens of millions of dollars embezzled by civil servants and politicians.
‘Who suffers? The poor, the vulnerable and the weak. That’s injustice in its rawest form.’
ABLI
