Honesty in Low Places

Whilst sleazy politicians in the UK, and corrupt ones in South Africa dominate this weeks blog entries, just a word about the taxi driver in La Plata, Argentina, who having discovered that an elderly couple had left a bag with $32,000 in his Taxi. Spent three days seeking them in order to return the bag (how many UK politicians would I trust to do that?).

Now this would be a remarkable bit of honesty in any time and place but from a taxi driver who is likely not to be very well off, this was an all the more impressive bit of integrity.

As well as blogs like this saluting him, a web site in Argentina highlighted the story and ‘reward’ donations flooded in, with over $14,580 to be handed over to the taxi driver Santiago Gori. It reminds me of the story of Richard Karyea in Liberia refusing a bribe (1,300 times greater than his salary), and reporting drug smuggling.

Sometimes, just sometimes, honesty is its own reward ….. with a little helping hand from the public.

An African Hero For Our Times

Yes, there are some Africans fighting corruption, and this story about Richard Karyea in Liberia refusing a bribe (1,300 times greater than his salary), and reporting drug smuggling is heartening.

Asked why he refused "It wasn't difficult to turn down the money, If it took me 50 years to earn that money, I'd want my conscience. I will always want my conscience"

Sadly, his colleagues in the customs office obviously disagreed and he was made redundant shortly later....... hmm.

However all ended well when he ended up in a better job as deputy chief examiner at the ministry of finance, and was made Civil Servant of the Year 2008 and given a $1,000 (£700) prize by President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.