Year in, year out, we read highlights of the Auditor-General's Report and exclaimed at the incredible prices paid for certain items or work done. As sure as daylight, it would come on, causing outrage and comments and even police reports. But we do not get any mention of follow-up action resulting in punishment of those responsible. Why? I have just read The Sun's article on this which explains most of the reasons:
Who calls the shots? By Terence Fernandez
http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=39449
People have often wondered why guilty civil servants do not seem to face punishment as we expect of them, just being transferred to another department or ministry. Even this so-called punishment can actually be meted to those responsible for not co-operating with fraudulent activities, which further blurs public perception of who is right or wrong!
Don't under-estimate the power of civil servants because of their almost permanency in government service until retirement, compared with politicians who come and go every few years or so.
A minister can announce that the policy is such and such, but the practical side can be quite different as implemented by the civil servants, and it happens all the time which is why most people do not take much notice of ministerial statements.
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