It was early in the morning on Friday in Palestine in AD 31 when Jesus, the Saviour of the world, with hands tied, was standing in the Roman judgement hall before Pilate, the governor, on allegations of breaking the commandments of Jehovah and inciting Roman citizens to revolt against the mighty empire of the ancient world by claiming to be the Son of God and King of the Jews. Avoiding to be defiled by Pilate’s temple and the proceedings that were going on inside, Jesus’s accusers, the Jews, were standing outside the hall.
SUNDAY OPINION BY AMEN MPOFU
According to Bible historians, this court case, which took place under the cover of darkness, is recorded as one of the most unjust and inhumane cases since an innocent and defenceless man was tried from early Friday morning until late Friday afternoon, after which he was eventually nailed to the barbaric Roman cross, the worst instrument of torture ever made by humans. During the proceedings, Pilate realised that the allegations levelled against Christ were unfounded and emanated from jealousy and hatred of Jesus. However, he could not persuade the Jews to let Christ free as he was afraid that they would say he was a weakling and report him to the highest office for undermining its authority by failing to take action. For self- preservation, Pilate allowed the Jews to go ahead with this horrendous crime, but to show his purported innocence, he took a bowl with water and washed his hands in front of the Jews. Despite washing his hands to declare his innocence, was Pilate really not guilty? It is agreed by Bible scholars that Pilate was an accomplice in the crime as he had the power to release Christ; after all, he was a Roman governor.
Like Pilate, those who are in top leadership positions and wield great influence among those whom they lead in their organisations cannot claim innocence when some bad things they could have nipped in the bud get worse. Their high positions in society or in their organisations demand much accountability, for where much is given, more is demanded. The top privileges that go with their highest positions in the land demand that the beneficiary be held accountable for whatever happens in their organisation. They have no excuse for not knowing since they have all the instruments at their disposal to execute their duties efficiently and effectively within a framework of prescribed responsibilities. In a court of law, ignorance is not a plea for innocence. When they have the power to appoint and fire but then let things slide down the path of anarchy and degeneration, they are held responsible. They cannot plead innocence since it is in their power to appoint, supervise, control and dispense justice on those that become a liability to the organisation.
When the government auditor reveals that there is rot in the parastatals and no one takes action, someone who supervises these organisations should be charged for dereliction of duty and wasting taxpayers’ money. The leaders of these organisations and the top government lawyers are highly responsible for letting corruption rear its ugly head because it is in their power to carry out investigations and bring the offenders to book if found guilty. They are inexcusable. When no action is taken,then we are bound to ask; where is the president, the minister, the government attorney, and the top guardian of security? How can they sweep such issues under the carpet and pretend nothing is wrong? Is this responsible citizenship? What legacy are they going to leave? Are they suitable people to hold these positions? Society demands answers and justice demands it too.
We are forced to ask questions when some of our leaders resort to violent means to propel themselves to power. It is in their power to stop violence as they can appoint and fire. By virtue of their highest office, they have all the power to dictate how certain things should be done, they are movers and shakers. Third parties cannot take the blame. They cannot say they are not guilty of political violence when some of their actions and words incite the masses to intolerance of divergent views. It is said that there is no smoke without fire.
It is principally important for our leaders to understand that to know what to do about the shocking levels of corruption in their organisations and do nothing about it is the highest crime in the courts of Heaven. The Bible warns our leaders of persistently and stubbornly allowing corruption, using political violence, instilling fear in the masses and amassing shocking levels of wealth when the rest of the population is sinking in a sea of poverty. Our country is only thirty-five years old but it is reported that many of our leaders have staggering riches. How could this be? No wonder, we are ranked 156 out of 175 countries in terms of the corruption perceptions index by Transparency International. The possessor of heaven and earth is making an exact record of every corrupt deal taking place in Zimbabwe and everywhere else and sooner or later all the perpetrators will give an account. They can run and hide from the human eyes but Jehovah’s eyes see everything.
They can pillage, ransack and loot the economy and get richer but the day of reckoning is coming when all of us small and great shall give an account to the great Judge of the universe for all things done in secret, good or bad. Justice will prevail.
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Last week we used the wrong picture of Amen Mpofu and we sincerely apologise to both the writer and the former Bulawayo City Council deputy mayor whose picture we used. Any inconvenience caused is sincerely regretted. — Editor
