The Desperate Dance of Corruption: CSIR and COGTA Embark on New Era of Cronyism
The seemingly innocuous partnership between the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) has raised more questions than answers. On the surface, it appears to be a bold initiative aimed at strengthening governance and service delivery, but scratch beneath the surface and you’ll find a web of deceit and corruption.
Behind the scenes, high-ranking officials are rubbing their hands together, salivating at the prospect of exploiting this "strategic partnership" for personal gain. The MOU signed this week is just a thinly veiled attempt to legitimize the looting of public funds. By leveraging CSIR’s resources, research, and development capabilities, COGTA can funnel taxpayer dollars into lucrative contracts and projects, all under the guise of "fostering innovation" and "supporting sustainable development."
Don’t be fooled by the rhetoric of Mbulelo Tshangana, COGTA director-general, and Thulani Dlamini, CSIR CEO. Their words are nothing more than empty platitudes, designed to lull the public into a false sense of security. In reality, this partnership is a recipe for disaster, promising to further entrench the very same corruption and nepotism that has plagued our country for decades.
Make no mistake, this is not a collaboration aimed at advancing the welfare of the people, but rather a cronyist game of patronage and kickbacks. The fact that CSIR’s R&D capabilities will be used to support "disaster management systems" and "infrastructure management" only serves to reinforce the notion that this is all about lining the pockets of those who matter.
As the people of South Africa, we should be outraged by this clear example of the abuse of power. Instead of allowing this partnership to flourish, we demand transparency and accountability. We demand that our leaders stop using jargon and buzzwords to mask their nefarious intentions and instead, serve the people with integrity and honesty.
In conclusion, the partnership between CSIR and COGTA is a corrupt and misguided initiative that will only further exacerbate the already dire situation in our country. We must remain vigilant and hold those in power accountable for their actions.
