Corruption is a word I began hearing about from a young age before I knew what it entailed. I heard complains of what the authorities were doing, which brought frustration and resentment. I grew up fearing authorities of all levels, because I fully didn’t understand the system and wasn’t sure what my rights were. I only took the adults words for what right and wrong was. Little did I know that I was allowing myself to carry on other’s worldviews and perspectives? The more complains I heard, the more frustrated I got. Being a victim of some of the violence frustrated me so much that I wanted to do something about it. How could I do anything if I didn’t understand anything? I ventured over the years to understand the rights and duties of a citizen, as well as the duties of authorities representing the civilians. I just recently returned home from my studies, and it is really saddening to think that even after the years I have been absent things haven’t changed so much. New rules and regulations have been instilled, but the same old habits remain. As a citizen of my country, I want to understand the problems of my people and see what difference I can make, and I know it will not be so easy. However, I am ready, because I have a greater power behind me. How will I help my people?

Understanding people’s attitudes

If you want to know the problems of a country, get to know the citizens to understand their attitudes and behaviors. As I sat in the front seat of a bus heading to my village from Bamenda City, we passed a number of road blocks. The bus is a 9 sitter, but we had 16 people inside. From what I learnt in school, one would conclude that it is the drivers who bring corruption making the system not to function as appropriate as it is meant to be. We could begin by arguing that they should not carry overload, in order to avoid paying a bribe on the road. That too would be a valid point, in that a good system consists of checks and balances (Hackett, 2008;5-6), where everyone has their documents abiding to the system, thus enabling the government to run smoothly. If all the drivers obey the rules of the roads and did as the system required, then that would bring down corruption in that area of the state, providing transparency.

It is very simple to have a beautiful theory that enables everyone to live happily ever after, but if you see from the people’s point of view, it will be obvious that things are not as easy as it sounds. After observing the first two roadblocks and 2,000 CFA disappear from the driver’s pocket, I asked on the third roadblock what the money was for. For the next 30 minutes I was given a lecture, which widen my understanding into the daily lives of taxi drivers and bus drivers on the roads

Jonah’s story

From Jonah’s (name has been changed) perspective, life is not easy for any taxi driver or bus driver. We give to these people to avoid spending much time with them. It is not because we enjoy disrupting the system, but it is because they push us to do things we do not want to do. I started off as a taxi driver and I used to make sure I had all my documents in order. When the traffic controlled stopped me and found all my documents intact, they would not let me go and would try to find a small problem either with my passengers or my car. If they found none, they would keep me for more than 30 minutes, expecting me to give them 500 cfa at least. When I refused, they would hold my documents. This made me frustrated and angry. When I started speaking up for my rights, they put a special mark on me. They gave me a nickname known as “Netman”. Casually explained, it means “perfect” man. I didn’t care what they called me. I just wanted to be on the right side of the system, but they always try to find fault. If by any chance I had just one document that was expired for a day, I would have to pay not less than 7,000 CFA.

After following all the rules I was targeted by those who should praise me for being an honorable citizen. Therefore, I would rather carry my overload and pay the 500 cfa or 1000 cfa, which they will still suck out of me even with all my documents in place. We do not carry overload and pay these people because we want to, but because they leave us no choice. I however always have all my documents in place. I have just added carrying overload and paying them the money they want.

If we do not do it so, they will give you a ticket, which shall land you in court and from there, you will spend much more money than it is necessary. So it is better to give them the 500 cfa or 1000 cfa to prevent wasting much money.

This does not mean we are not working towards fixing things. We cannot go on strike, because the authorities have threatened to shoot us if we carried out a strike. We have a group meeting for drivers coming up. We are trying to see how we can get our problem heard up top. It will not be easy, but we are going to be heard somehow. We don’t have any authority to back us up, but we will be heard somehow.

Even if this is taken to their authorities, they will not do anything, because the money collected ends up going back up the ranks to the higher authorities to give their share of the spoils.

What Next?

Listening to Jonah provided an understanding into the lives of these drivers. What we might assume from the surface to be a people’s system, often results from the attitudes of officials. These attitudes shape the way people respond to them. Jonah is not the only victim of road control. How can this be fought against? What mechanisms are there to enable the authorities to fulfill their duties and maintain their roles without frustrating the citizens? Hackett, N. Linda (2008:5-6), pointed out what a good government should look like as prescribed by the founding fathers in America. Checks and balances in the American constitution has been a way designed by the founding fathers to fight against corruption. However, not everyone can wear the same shoe. What might work for another country may not necessary work for others? As Jonah spoke, ideas flooded my mind. What if, a human rights advocate sat in the car and recorded the scenario? What if an accountability group was chosen to make sure that the authorities were doing their job appropriately? This is not the first time they have made complains against the police. We need mechanisms in place that are effective and transparent. More or less, there’s need for an advocate, who will provide evidence and see to court matters and proceedings. Unless something is done to fight this corrupt system, people will keep asking, “when will justice come?”