The paltry payments made to the victims, the escape of Anderson on a government plane, the neglect of the babies born subsequently with terrible deformities and ailments, the inability of the state to clean the contaminated soil, the petty sentences rendered and the 26 long years in the trial court, all seems separate instances which though regrettable are treated as issues of governance and not one of politics, conspiracy and betrayal. Let’s not look at the past, we are advised, let’s look to the future to ensure that such an incident does not take place again. But unless we understand the treachery of the past it is impossible to change things for the future.