An Essay on Abuse of Power by Maracas Leaders

Abuse of office is rampant among the officials of Maracas Municipality. Support this assertion with a close reference to THE SAMARITAN.

Abuse of office erodes governance and public trust. In The Samaritan by John Lara, Ted King, Hon. Seymour, and Harvester exemplify corruption, marginalization, and violence, betraying the municipality and causing the citizens to suffer.

Mayor Mossi’s leadership exemplifies abuse of office, as he manipulates municipal resources and power for personal and ethnic gain, severely undermining Maracas’ welfare. He orchestrates municipal capture, allowing private interests to dictate public policy (pg. 39), and plans to relocate Maracas University after Bembe grabs its land for a home and golf club (pg. 42). His Red Eagle Gang, funded by municipal resources, suppresses political threats (pg. 45), while hired youths create chaos to intimidate rivals (pg. 45). By channelling development solely to his ethnic group, Mossi marginalizes others (pg. 82), and his attempts to bribe teacher Nicole (pg. 61) and oversee inflated, shoddy projects (pg. 62) further reveal his corrupt reign. These actions collectively demonstrate how Mossi’s abuse of office prioritizes self-interest over public good to the detriment of the citizens of Maracas municipality.

Bembe’s corrupt practices highlight the rampant abuse of office in Maracas, as he exploits his position to amass wealth while disregarding the municipality’s integrity. Accused of numerous corruption cases (pg. 38), he grabs university land to build the Mandigo Golf Club, mockingly called the Motorists Highway Hotel, using bribes collected by traffic officers (pg. 40-41). Bembe misuses the municipal police to extort bribes from citizens, guilty or innocent (pg. 41), and falsely arrests teacher Nicole to silence her activism (pg. 93-98). Through these actions, Bembe’s abuse of office not only enriches him but also perpetuates injustice, contributing to the municipality’s moral and structural decay.

Ramdaye’s fraudulent schemes underscore the pervasive abuse of office in Maracas, as he manipulates municipal systems for family profit while defrauding citizens. He sells university land to Bembe with a fake title deed (pg. 41) and awards tenders for infrastructure projects—roads, pavements, drains, and watercourses—to his relatives’ companies, despite their poor work (pg. 62-63). His department operates like a family business, involving his wife, daughters, cousins, in-laws, and great-grandfather (pg. 68-69). By printing fake title deeds and selling the same plot to multiple buyers (pg. 63), Ramdaye’s actions exemplify how abuse of office thrives through deceit, harming Maracas’ residents and development.

Hon. Ted King’s misconduct reveals the entrenched abuse of office in Maracas, as he diverts public funds for personal gain while protecting corrupt allies. He misappropriates hospital funds to build substandard site houses resembling cowsheds (pg. 64) and awards tenders to companies linked to his relatives (pg. 64). King also pushes for a Supplementary Budget Estimates to fund legal defenses against The Samaritan app’s revelations (pg. 32-33, 68, 121-123). His actions illustrate how abuse of office not only robs the public of essential services but also shields corruption, perpetuating Maracas’ systemic failures.

Hon. Seymour’s destructive influence epitomizes abuse of office, as he uses his position to traffic drugs and unleash violence, devastating Maracas’ social fabric. His drug trafficking has made Maracas a narcotics hub, with profits used to buy votes (pg. 66-67, 70), ruining youths through addiction, death, and school dropouts (pg. 66-67). Seymour’s Black Swan gang fuels shootings and disappearances (pg. 66), while his delays in approving building plans unless bribed (pg. 66) and fake law degree (pg. 67) expose his extortion and fraud. These acts show how Seymour’s abuse of office inflicts widespread harm, far beyond financial loss.

Harvester’s complicity in corruption reflects the subtle yet significant abuse of office in Maracas, as he enables the mayor’s schemes while suppressing truth. He bans the Samaritan app to stifle anti-corruption efforts and orders the ICT officer to block similar innovations (pg. 38-39). Using public funds, he buys all newspapers to hide Maracas’ scandals (pg. 21). Harvester’s confession to Jaden about his crimes and fear of retribution for following Mossi’s orders (pg. 115) reveal how his abuse of office, though less overt, sustains the municipality’s corrupt system.

In conclusion, it is clear that Maracas Municipality suffers due to leaders abuse of power for personal gain, oppressing the public and hindering progress.