No bad deed will ever go unpunished The Samaritan by John Lara Essay
No bad deed will ever go unpunished. With close reference to John Lara's "The Samaritan", write an essay to validate the assertion.
In life, those who engage in wrongdoings eventually face the repercussions of their actions. This moral truth is vividly illustrated through the actions and eventual downfall of several corrupt leaders in the play The Samaritan. Characters like Mayor Mossi, Justice Jayden, Seymour, Ted, and Bembe, who hold powerful positions in Maracas Municipality, use their authority to engage in corrupt and illegal activities. However, their misdeeds do not go unpunished, as they ultimately suffer the consequences of their unethical actions.
Mayor Mossi, one of the most influential leaders in Maracas Municipality, is deeply involved in state capture, as seen early in the play. His greed and corruption become evident when he refuses to launch a municipal app that could expose the illegal activities of public officials, including himself (pg. 15). Mossi is determined to protect his interests and even orders his subordinates, Nicole and Ms. Nerine, to halt any activities related to the app (pg. 20). His fear of exposure leads him to convene secret meetings and use unethical means, such as buying all the newspapers to prevent bad publicity (pg. 41). Despite his efforts to cover his tracks, Mossi's involvement in illegal dealings eventually catches up with him. He even admits to his unethical behaviour, though he tries to downplay his role by blaming others (pg. 68-69). His attempts to bribe and manipulate Nicole into silencing negative press prove futile, and in the end, Mayor Mossi is arrested by Taju, the head of an anti-corruption unit (pg. 80).
Ramdaye, another corrupt figure in Maracas Municipality, is notorious for swindling public lands and misappropriating government resources. He illegally sells municipal lands to Bembe, one of the play’s other corrupt characters, and awards lucrative tenders to his family members, resulting in substandard work on public projects (pg. 63). To further his schemes, Ramdaye goes as far as printing fake land titles and selling them to unsuspecting buyers. However, his fraudulent activities eventually lead to his downfall, as he is arrested and held accountable for his misdeeds.
Justice Jayden, a highly educated and influential judge, is another leader who engages in corrupt activities. He believes his intelligence and strategic thinking will allow him to escape accountability for his wrongdoings (pg. 29). Jayden's family is deeply involved in shady business dealings with the municipal council, and his company, Prime Orchard Farm, is implicated in a major fraud case known as the Grain Scandal (pg. 102). Jayden fraudulently awards contracts and makes biased rulings in favour of his associates, believing he can always stay one step ahead of the law. Despite his attempts to manipulate the system, Justice Jayden's unethical behaviour is exposed, and his efforts to bribe Nicole into silence fail. Like Mayor Mossi, Jayden is ultimately arrested by Taju, the relentless anti-corruption officer.
Seymour, the municipal secretary in charge of planning and development, is accused of several corrupt activities, including supplying non-existent services or “air” (pg. 24). When Seymour realizes that his illegal actions are being exposed through the Samaritan app, he declares war on those behind the allegations (pg. 25). He even suggests reallocating public funds meant for development projects to instead fight the corruption charges against him and his colleagues (pg. 33). Seymour is also accused of delaying building approvals and taking bribes in exchange for approval of shoddy construction projects (pg. 66). His dubious qualifications, including a law degree obtained from a questionable source, further highlight his corruption. In the end, Seymour's involvement in violent activities with the Black Swan Gang, a criminal group responsible for murder and extortion, leads to his arrest (pg. 66).
Honourable Ted, another key figure in Maracas Municipality, is heavily involved in the narcotics trade, which has devastated the lives of many citizens. Ted also engages in other unethical activities, such as pirating music and causing noise pollution (pg. 64). Together with Seymour, Ted is accused of supplying “air” and embezzling funds meant for public projects. The duo conspires to build substandard structures, resembling cowsheds, instead of the proper offices promised to the public (pg. 64). Despite his influence, Ted’s illegal dealings eventually catch up with him, and like his corrupt counterparts, he is arrested for his crimes.
Bembe, a key supporter of Seymour’s corrupt schemes, is deeply involved in human rights violations and extortion (pg. 39). His illegal activities include owning the Madingo Golf Club, a lavish hotel built with public funds obtained through bribes (pg. 28). Bembe is also a member of the Shadowy Gang, Ghetto Boys, a criminal organization known for robbing people. He has even converted the municipal police into his personal enforcers, collecting bribes from both innocent citizens and guilty criminals (pg. 22). When Bembe's corruption is exposed, he attempts to intimidate journalists and even suggests burning the Samaritan app to eliminate evidence of his wrongdoings (pg. 28). However, his actions eventually lead to his arrest, and he is forced to face justice for his crimes.
In conclusion, the corrupt leaders of Maracas Municipality may have enjoyed power and influence for a time, but their unethical actions ultimately led to their downfall.