September 26, 2013Dear Sir,The taxpayers’ money is being spent on junkets to Columbia and other places. So much for democratically elected officials.It was interesting to read on the BBC news web site “Can democracy deliver for Africa?”, by Mary Morgan. The article is too long to print but to give some quotes:“Even within South Africa, many feel marginalised in the new democracy. Economically, South Africa is still one of the most unequal societies in the world. There is also adifference between democracy in theory and democracy in practice.”“Corruption and impunity at the highest level are a sign that the balance of power still sits firmly with those in office — and not those who vote them in.“According to the African Union, more than $148 billion is lost to corruption in Africa every year — much of it through public officials employed by democratically elected Governments.”It is incumbent on all of us to not only keep an eye on what Government is doing, but also the Corporation of Hamilton.Yours sincerely,Antony Siese