Nobody should tolerate corruption – ACC deputy director
• By ADOLF KAURE
Advocate Erna van der Merwe, the deputy director general of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), said nobody should tolerate corruption due to its devastating effect on society during the recently held regional forum in Swakopmund.
Van der Merwe highlighted the danger that corruption poses to society.
“Corruption drains resources from much needed investments, particularly in areas of health, education, infrastructure and other basic services. In addition, it has the ability to derail national projects meant for the improvement of the citizenry’s standard of living.” “Corruption therefore poses a great challenge to the alleviation of poverty in our society. We should therefore not tolerate it. We should all play our part to prevent it from taking root in our society,” said van der Merwe.
She further explained why ACC holds forums in all fourteen country regions.
“The reason for hosting regional forums, chaired by the governors of the 14 regions, is to ensure inclusiveness, ownership and accountability at all levels. The regional forums also provide a platform through which the inhabitants of all the areas are updated on implementing the NACSAP.
“The regional forums are in terms of the strategy part of the governance structures and monitoring bodies, ensuring the effective implementation of the strategy. The regional governors serves as the chairpersons. Let me assure you that the ACC will maximize on this to ensure that the views and aspirations of the people in the region are given the attention it deserves in our future planning,” she said. Van der Merwe further explained that NACSAP’s mission is to promote integrity, accountability, and transparency to prevent corruption.
“This is done through its eight strategic objectives. It is our deepest desire at the ACC that these strategic objectives be implemented within the five years period as planned, thereby helping us to contribute the strengthening of good governance in all sectors,” said van der Merwe.
The cabinet approved the National Anti-Corruption Strategy and Action Plan (NACSAP) 2021-2025 at its 22nd Decision-Making Meeting held on 9 December 2021. Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila launched NACSAP in March 2022.
The country’s second National Anti-Corruption Strategy and Action Plan 2021-2025 has 8 Strategic Objectives and 95 Actions being implemented by 44 lead institutions.
The 2023/2024 financial year marks the second year of the actual implementation of the strategy. During the 2022/2023 financial year, 13 of 16 cluster meetings were held to review the progress made in the strategy implementation. In the 2022/23 financial year, 87 of the 95 actions were successfully implemented by 44 implementing institutions under the NACSAP. The Erongo Region’s fifth forum was held this year, and the previous regional forums were held in Kunene, Hardap, Karas and Zambezi Regions.
The predominant corruption cases in the region include the abuse of office for gratification, abuse of Government vehicles and soliciting of bribes. The briefing was held to share the state of corruption in the Erongo Region and served as a platform to share successes and challenges the ACC faces. One major challenge the ACC faces is tracing accused persons and witnesses. The Anti-Corruption Commission’s challenges include the need for investigator training and relying on third parties to complete investigations.