via Bernard Bwoni Charamba-Moyo- ushering in a brand new Zimbabwe political phenomenon? 11 February 2014
As citizenry of an acquisitive society, Zimbabweans have deeply entrenched metrics for success that are derived from the external manifestations of a distorted self. Whilst the distinction between serving the self and serving others is powerful and viable, it requires those in leadership positions to have that inherent courage. With the recent revelations about the sleaze and salary scandals the dilemma we are faced with is a loss of uprightness and the question to pose is do those implicated have the intrinsically sustained stamina and courage to be accountable for their individual indiscretions? The only gate-keepers to losing one’s moral conscience are courage, self-awareness and empathy which are integral to social and emotional intelligence.
President Mugabe has been dismayed by the recent revelations and instructed that action is taken directly from those ministries implicated in the scandals. Jonathan Moyo has been the most proactive and instrumental in initiating and unmasking these financial felonies and there has been a sense of urgency in defining and driving up national processes and national trajectory. There is a reframing of leadership from being heroes and celebrities to being servants of the people. The recent salary sleaze and economic transgressions by individuals must never be allowed to tarnish the great name of the revolutionary party. Individuals are entirely responsible for their individual impropriety and irresponsibility. The public outrage and associated emotive responses to the revelations are understandable under the circumstances but in all fairness have to exonerate the revolutionary party and target the independent offenders. The revolutionary party is bigger than any personality and individuals are mere component parts of this ideologically-affluent composite structure.
Leaders are human and therefore fallible. Those who lose their way are not necessarily bad people but rather they lose their moral bearings, often giving in to worldly seductions in their paths. There is no one who goes into a position of power for external gratification for fulfilment or to do wrong, yet we all have that susceptibility to actions and behaviours we will end up regretting unless if we stay grounded. Along the way the rewards, the bonuses and other alluring trappings fuel increasing desires for more and more.
Courageous individuals do not make excuses when they are wrong, they come forward and boldly say ‘I was wrong’. I have utmost respect for someone like George Charamba who shows no hesitation in admitting his mistakes. At least you are adequately armed and you know exactly what you are dealing with. Apologising freely requires a great deal of courage and Charamba coming forward and doing that surely must be uncomfortable but the fact that he has done so publicly shows that he is putting honesty and honour ahead of personal comfort and self-preservation. The positive power of acknowledging and apologising for one’s misdoings is inspiring and courageous. I am fully aware that excusing people’s behaviour is in essence trying to redefine what is and what is not morally acceptable in society and I am not about to do that. In every unethical predicament the costs vastly exceed the benefits.
George Charamba’s morally-conscious stance is a brand new phenomenon in Zimbabwean politics and he deserves credit not outright castigation for admitting that he was wrong. Emotions and outrage aside, Charamba coming out and admitting his mistake could possibly have enhanced his legitimacy and in the long run likely going to increase solidarity, innovation and openness in Zimbabwean politics. Any individual in a position of leadership who can admit to an error in judgement embodies a positive measure of character. Humility and the ability to admit error and error of judgement is probably the most important quality in leadership. Charamba is embracing humility and in admitting his mistakes and hinting on resigning he is showing a unique understanding of self and those around him.
The biggest fear of admitting error of judgement is the fear of being entirely dipped in the illegitimacy immersion and rightly so. The honest truth though is that I have more respect for someone who has the courage to come out and say I am sorry and I was wrong. I trust Charamba more than those who remain engrossed in their self-serving egotistical preoccupations with portraying and preserving a picture of assumed righteousness. I find Charamba’s acknowledgement sincere and he is secure enough to realise and recognise his weaknesses. I listened to his interview and he seemed very self-aware and did not seem weighed down by any insecurities. The problem for Charamba is that the fact that he has acknowledged the mistake does not necessarily erase it or make it any better, it remains a mistake and error of judgement at the end of the day and that he has to live with. However his saving grace is that he has been brave enough not to try to conceal any wrongdoing which could have created the perception of a lack of integrity and self-awareness.
COMMENTS
I, for once, respect George Charamba.
You are also crazy and blind. If you son quickly say I am sorry chances are he wants you to stop venturing into some of his misdemeanors. You will easily for give. I for one would want to know all the mischiefs before i judge whether he is a real man or not. I cannot easily be fooled by “i m sorry, please fire me”. Ofcourse he can not be fired, instead he made be killed because he know too much of these wara waraz
So people in power can’t make mistakes and say sorry? Leaders are only human and are prone to mistakes and the question is are they big enough to say I was wrong and I apologise?
Your problem (Heinrich Schmidt) is reducing ‘corruption and outright theft’ to a ‘mistake’. That’s a serious misnomer or outright mischief on your part.
Many would not be surprised to learn that you are part of the Mugabe-Mujuru cronies who are busy committing what you call ‘mistakes’, when in fact they are crimes for which they deserve to do time in some prison.
Surely we would be surprised to learn that you are one of the privileged few in Zim diamond mining business.
Oh you will be very surprised as to what I am and what I am not and what I will never be. But coming back to your point about reducing corruption to a mistake I am not suggesting anyone go scout free but rather it is refreshing that someone is able to own up to that corruption. It’s that idea of admitting that is integral to any societal accretion. But I guess you are on the unrelenting bandwagon
Takes brains to steal!
Blather. These fellows are money grubbing thieves, including Charamba. Charamba is a very well known liar, it is a matter of public record. The revolutionary party is the problem and its members deserve the low repute in which they held.
Return the public funds you stole George and we may accept your apology.
Kondo, I salute you. I respect moris nyagumbo than someone who says yes, i ate the money, but now fire me. We want that money back and we will say good precedent. Nyagumbo realised the shame he did to the nation and he is said to commit suicide. No independent autopasy was done to confirm suicide, but i respect him if he really did commit the said suicide
The one good thing about the ZANU/Nikuv blitz of the MDC is that ZANU can now focus its subterfuge and evil schemes on itself. Villains masquerade as angels… knives are sharpened, lieutenants peer uneasily into the shadows. Meanwhile the country drifts slowly, moribund into the unknown
Ndikomkuti ngwendon wena
If he returns the stolen cash I will begin to see honesty and sincerity in his apology
I wonder who this Bernard Bwoni truly is. It would not surprise me if its not Charamba himself.
Just a humble son of the soil I guess
Bernard is another version of a faceless writer called Nathaniel Manheru. He cant use manheru in the case because it is manheru who is standing trial
This is where democracy becomes practical as opposed to a theoretical construct which is synonymous with MDC and some like you. What automatically makes you assume the writer is Manheru or Charamba? Because he wrote something you disagreed with?
Heinrich Schmidt your first contribution was well informed but subsequent ones have exposed you for what you really are , an idiot. Intelligent contributions by other readers were above party politics and very constructive but you buffoon is busy castigating the MDC. Here the focus should be on corrupt people and those supporting scourge notwhat youare saying you scum.
I am very concerned about you calling me a buffoon and idiot simply because I mentioned the word MDC. But that actually solidifies my point because the moment someone says something you disagree with then daggers are drawn. I neither ZANU or MDC but I do have special interests in the country hence my interest. I do apologise for offending you though.
This guy must be Charamba’s PR person.
What gave you that idea?
Hmmm, not sure about this article. Can’t simply apologise and get away with it!! Liars, thieves, murderers need to be punished fullstop! But …. look at our judiciary!!
Stage managed salarygate by Zanu n dat why di Herald is takng a lid on reporting. Why is it dat these guys ve not bin arrested up to now. Arrest di looters so dat we will believe you
Charamba is simply pre emptying what his boss was going to ask him.This has nothing to do with sincerity but a clever political move. Katsotsi…
What gave you that idea?
What gave you the idea to ask????
What gave you the idea to reask the same question?
No wonder why Teurai Ropa believes there are people who h
No wonder Teurai Ropa believes that there are people who ha
Moyo reminds me too much of a prostitute. Coniving and scheming all the time pane zviri kuvavarirwa.
No wonder Teurairopa believes that there are people who want to destroy Zanupf from within.As long as one or two people want to gain some popularity because they are fixing others then there will be ferocious resistance. Let it be corruption and just corruption and not abuse of the press to politically achieve goals that the public is not yet aware of. Jonathan Moyo and Charamba are not angels themselves to use the press to fix others and then masquerade as heroes against corruption on behalf of the people. Far from it.
Lucy you have hit it spot on. I wont be conned by Zanu . Lets see jail time for these bandits.
I agree with the writer. Chanramba is honest and these are the kinda leaders we want.
Newe writer you are blind futi. You are happy that Charamba conceded he is wrong, how many years has he received these monies, not 1, not 2, not 3……Do you think he is not calculative? Do u think he is doing it whole heartedly? No, he wants to fool you Mrs and Mr Writer…..to think this is one in a thousand. If i were you I was going to do more and more research into his killing and ask him to testify that he murdered unknowing, and give him more credit. Go to other financial responsibilities he has and discover more. Imagine at PSMAS he was just an accomplice, what do you expect from those financial responsibilities where he has total control. What do you foresee in his president bootlicking Gono so that he remained blue eyed before HE. Obviously, Charamba also looted the RBZ, the Agric input scheme and the farm mechanisation. And as he come back with “i am sorries” this writer will have his pen ready for more credits.
I suspect you, Mr or Mrs Writer must be Nathaniel Manheru
There is nothing courageous about offering to to resign after you have been exposed. Why didn’t he not do this sooner? Typical of many criminals who claim they made a ‘mistake’ after they have been caught. They must all go but I hope & prayer it won’t get to the point where the people lose their self restraint & take matters into their own hands.
Why only offer to resign, an empty gesture.. just resign you fool and return the money…
This rarely happens in Zimbabwe that someone in Charamba’s position can come forward and admit to fault and I think it’s that level of honesty we need in the country.
Nhai ndiani anozivawo kunotengeswa maline ekuyanikira nhumbi.Ndatambura nekuatsvanga
Essential economic rule according to Adam Smith; Do not do good to man, let good emerge as a byproduct of the selfish man. The Invisible Hand is still invisible even today! Let market forces dictate
Ndlovu Kayisa You are saying that Charamba is the only Cobra that is not poisonous? George is rotten to the core AND JUST AS POISONOUS ASK HIS FORMER WIFE.
Very interesting topic with many comments which in some cases over rule our known gazetted laws on corruption and economy sabotage.Once as we start making certain rules to apply to certain group of people then we are practising the well known novel The Animal Farm principles.Surely, we do not want to create classes within our dear country,therefore these guys have broken the most serious crimes involving economic sabotage which are equal to treason.None of these looters have shown remorse except to just talk whilst their actions have cost viable lives eg people failed to see their doctors when they needed to do that because their meagre contributions were being diverted for personal use .Is this right or wrong?The problem with us Zimbabweans we really do not know what we want thus why the politicians take us for granted as if we are their cheap cars and poor dogs.
If you go deeper to these looting cases you will realise that all these people were nominated or appointed to these positions by the authorities, therefore these authorities should take real action to correct the rot not to keep quiet hoping that the situation will rectify itself.THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN AT ALL BECAUSE THESE ARE SEASONED LOOTERS AND PROFESSIONAL LIARS.