Once again corruption is dominating the headlines but this time private individuals are involved.
Students bribe their way into studying medicine and other health science courses. Considering the numerous cases where government officials are implicated in corrupt activities with a miniscule conviction rate, this case has been given lots of media attention. The Hawks have sprung into action to get to the root of the allegations of bribery and corruption.
Even pressure groups like the medical school’s Progressive Youth Alliance are calling for the immediate removal of staff implicated in the scandal that rocked the University of KZN.
At the heart of this problem is the quota system that limits students’ enrolment based on the basis of race. One wonders what the agenda or leverage political groups or even the Hawks acquire by giving these cases so much of prominence. This case broke last week yet newspapers still have it as their headlines. Murder cases are not even dealt with so much enthusiasm.Anybody who breaks the law needs to be prosecuted accordingly.
Could this be an easy case to crack and probably be a feather in the cap of the Hawks? The files of many high profile cases remain unsolved and open. Selective prosecutions by government institutions will always come under scrutiny. The notion that everybody is equal before the law is being questioned.
The politically connected are evading prosecutions as some cases do not even make it to court. Bribery and corruption has to be reduced. Perpetrators must face the consequences of their actions. Selective prosecutions will dent the credibility of the state thereby resulting in the citizens viewing them with suspicion.
Let’s hope there is a speedy resolution to the selling of medical places saga. This should not end here.The whole system of quotas needs investigation or we will see no end to this type of corruption. As long as selections are biased and not based on meritocratic principles, there will always be people who will use this as an opportunity to exploit the prevailing trends for their own benefit.
Vijay Surujpal, Phoenix