Politics of the pocket bleeding SA to death

At times like these, false prophets tell people to drink petrol to cure their ailments. At times like these, people fall for scams that promise to double their money.

At times like these, politicians engage in corruption safe in the knowledge that they will be protected from prosecution as long as they mingle with the right crowd.

At times like these, the unthinkable has become the norm. What we feared and said will never happen to us as a nation is now part of our daily life.

In a nation that lacks vision and in which credibility is in short supply in all spheres, the unscrupulous take centre stage and dictate the agenda.

Corruption and maladministration are no longer words we use sparingly.

Today, we merely ask: "How much, and how will those fingered escape prosecution this time?"

This state of affairs can be reversed only if, as a nation, we expose and stop supporting charlatans.

Support for false pastors, corrupt politicians and those whose art is to swindle the poor is the biggest stumbling block this nation faces.

Today, we are encouraged by the stance of the public servants accused of inflating prices for work at President Jacob Zuma's private home in Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal.

These officials should stand firm and expose all the politicians involved in the scandal.

The rot will stop when those employed to serve the nation refuse to be used and abused by greedy politicians. Such a stance should also be adopted by those in the private sector.

We have seen how the leaders of corporate South Africa, in cahoots with public officials, rob the poor in order to finance their lavish lifestyles.

Politics of the stomach and corporate greed are now the game plan.

Now is the time for introspection and searching for what is truly South African.

Otherwise, this nation will continue to drink petrol, invest in pyramid schemes and believe in instant gratification instead of hard work. It's at times like these that we need to stand firm.