Having worked for many years in the Ministry of National Security, I can attest to the petty gamesmanship that occurs behind the scenes.

Without having regard to the welfare of the citizens, employees of these woefully misnamed councils are more interested in brown-nosing, being sent abroad, nepotism and gamesmanship.

Meanwhile, citizens live behind bars meant for criminals, petrified to work, drive, meet with friends, or do any activity that is meant to be normal.

No thought is given to the family members of victims, especially children, who will store the trauma of witnessing crime in their bodies until they pass away.

Religious leaders talk about forgiveness and karma, when really they should stop those platitudes and encourage their members to stop accepting from family members gifts they know are proceeds of crime.

The hypocrisy is mind-boggling. Prayer is no defence against highpowered weapons.

When is the Government going to realise this is a gun problem? When are they going to implement legislation to ensure those found with illegal weapons, and those who provide them, need to be jailed without bail?

When are they going to audit the security firms, the police and the regiment? When will the media stop discussing the victims and start lobbying the Government to do something?

How many years will continue to pass with inept persons being put at the head of the Ministry of National Security and the Police Servicepersons who, year after year, prove their glaring failures?

As a nation, we are growing tired and immune to numbers. All political parties have contributed to this. We are tired of the same people, the same propaganda, the same failures.

Leaders need to look at themselves in the mirror and say truthfully and honestly, ‘I have failed my family and my people. I have not left the world a better place than I found it. I have to go.’

What we need are new leaders, new ideas and new people to implement stricter measures. Perhaps they have all gone abroad to safer places.

V Poland