Justice Malala, in developing a most compelling argument in his column regarding dropped charges against crime intelligence head Richard Mdluli - "Our gangster state" (April 30) - pointedly asks: "Where are the voices of Gwede Mantashe, Kgalema Motlanthe, Cyril Ramaphosa, Trevor Manuel, and others when the rot is being perpetrated in their name?"

Indeed, where are they; and where are the strident voices of all the other notables of our time?

The astounding silence of previously respected, trusted, and honoured public representatives in the legislature is also incomprehensible and alarming.

Daily, as the already high threshold of tolerance for rot is tested and continues to go unchallenged, further limits are breached by the government. Through patronage, preferment and protection, the government builds a firewall so it can act with increasing impunity.

Leadership without conscience is self-centred; without courage it is shameful; without character it destroys value and virtue. Who will stand up and be counted?