Mass hysteria

Our newly served drinks brought a moment of diversion before Fred was able to explain the true cause of his derision.

Military and State Security boffins, whether British, American, and now, South African, seem to get it so, so wrong. America and their allies ostensibly declared war on Sadam Hussein and his cronies on the basis of his ownership of weapons of mass destruction and the threat these represented to the 'civilized' world. This action was embarked on despite United Nations intelligence, to the contrary.

Not to be outdone, and apparently taking their cue from this ill-considered action in Iraq, our security 'apparatchiks', acting on 'carefully planned' espionage and military 'intelligence', found weapons of mass destruction in the leafy, silver spoon suburb of Saxonwold, Johannesburg.

"Enough to wipe out Soweto in two minutes," was the 'horrified' official description of the size and scope of this weaponry. "Illegally obtained and stored in secret...!" was another. Did this cache indicate an unholy alliance between the well-heeled company executives and professionals who choose Saxonwold as their preferred suburb and the Boeremag? Was this an Egoli axis of evil?

No, it was a couple of out-of-date troop carriers and guns, held for public display at the Military Museum - which is after all, its function.

With the feisty intervention of Pallo Jordan, Minister of Arts and Culture, the department that manages Museums, some sense prevailed. The curators, apparently gentle souls, were released on bail after being held. The public prosecutor refused to prosecute the accused. The police confiscated a selection of the weaponry and they are threatening to seize more.

Although this saga has yet to play itself out, it has given credence to the fact that governments, however "popular", are not perfect and that we should all fear over-zealous public servants, especially when weapons are involved.

And (from a media perspective) such buffoonery makes for good reading. It seems that the actions and utterances of politicians and public servants will always be a rich source for increased readership.

Perhaps that is the only useful role they have; I pondered, as I made my way home.