Generally, all over the world politicians, civil servants, and the looters in large public corporations are not being held sufficiently accountable for their actions, and participatory democracy needs to be strengthened to improve good government and to curb rampant political arrogance. Public corruption, which should not be confused with sleaze or even criminal private behaviour, is one of the worst forms of political arrogance and, along with other arrogances, should not be tolerated. As a result, I am confident that the majority of South Africans, without prejudging the outcome, wish(ed) Deputy President Jacob Zuma to be competently prosecuted by a competent court. The Hefer Commission is an unnecessary planned side show to distract our attention from the unwanted arms deal - with or without the corruption. To that extent, there is truth in Russell Grinker's editorial comment (Pambazuka News 127: The Politics of Corruption) on democracy being downgraded in favour of enlightened despotism, but it is our politicians themselves who are guilty of the downgrading by, at least, supporting the appointment of the commission. Therefore, such downgrading cannot be used as an excuse for being soft on corruption, as Russell Grinker's editorial seems to be asking us to consider, or for stating that recent political discourse in South Africa (or elsewhere in the world) has been characterised by a preoccupation with allegations of government corruption. Let Pambazuka News and all of us help root out corruption wherever it lies, whilst simultaneously strengthening our democracies to overcome the growing gap between rich and poor.