As the world moves on from the most abnormal festive season of our times, due to the devastating effects of the coronavirus and its new variant, an interesting development is taking shape in the US under the watch of a maverick called President Donald Trump.
Trump lost the last election to Joe Biden but he still refuses to concede defeat and acknowledge the victory of the Democrats.
What’s interesting for all peace-loving people around the world, particularly South Africans, is how the highest office in the US is being abused by Trump for nefarious purposes. These includes, among others, the pardoning of friends and cronies who were rightfully sent to jail for horrendous crimes, including lying during the inquiry that looked at Russian meddling in US elections in 2016.
As a country, we in SA have been there, when key state institutions meant to be the safeguards of our democracy were paralysed and rendered ineffective during the presidency of Jacob Zuma. Chief among these are law enforcement agencies such as the SAPS Crime Intelligence Division, the National Prosecuting Authority and the State Security Agency. Thankfully, our judiciary stood strong and resolute under immense pressure to buckle and also be rendered ineffective. For a strong democracy to prosper and succeed you need an independent judiciary that prosecutes without fear, favour or prejudice
Therefore the debacle that is taking place in the US under Trump presents a challenge to us; as a nation we should not allow state institutions to be rendered useless and ineffective as it happened under the Zuma administration. A sitting government can’t be allowed to abuse its citizens and make them a basket case like in the US, where millions of citizens are at the mercy of a delinquent president who holds their livelihoods at ransom.
Trump has done this by refusing to sign a stimulus relief package for the unemployed who are at risk of being evicted from their homes and losing their most precious possessions, such as cars and properties.
We have a similar situation in SA, where the dreadful pandemic is ravaging our county. Government has introduced stimulus packages such as the Temporary Employment Relief Scheme, the Covid 19 Social Relief of Distress Grant and the provision of food parcels to the needy, among other measures.
We should remain vigilant as a nation and ensure that government doesn’t use these measures for patronage and other unsavoury purposes. Government is obliged by SA's constitution to give relief and help its citizens when disaster strikes.
We must always hold our government accountable and ensure that it is open and transparent and gives all those who deserve relief they get the help they need without begging or paying bribes.
Stay safe, sanitise, wash your hands, practice social distancing and avoid super-spreader gatherings. Happy festive season and a prosperous new year. .
• Siphiwe Mgcina is a Sowetan reader
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