Africa-Press – Angola. Nineteen corruption and related criminal cases were opened from January to November of the current year, in the province of Huíla, as a result of 38 complaints to the Attorney General’s Office (PGR).
The information was released Friday, in Lubango, by the deputy attorney general of the Republic in Huíla, Celma da Silva Lourenço, as part of the International Day Against Corruption, to be celebrated this Saturday, 9th.
The judge said that more than 10 investigations were also opened as a result of complaints.
He stated that during the period, the PGR referred 12 criminal corruption cases to the court, three of which were reflected in sentencing decisions, but were subject to appeal.
Some of the criminal cases sent to court, according to the judge, were initiated in previous years, having gone through the stages of investigation, investigation, accusation and then reached the court, where they managed to prove the fact and the accusation, hence the conviction.
Over the years, according to the person responsible, the population has created a culture of reporting, however there is a need to work harder so that there are more complaints related to things that are not going well, highlighting, however, progress with the Strategic Prevention Plan and Combating Corruption, with Huíla considered an “example province” of good governance.
“If we look at the number of cases we have and compare it with population density, it is reducing, even the intervention or processes that are still emerging we see a decrease, as well as in the actions themselves that are considered a crime and then go to trial ”, he expressed.
He highlighted the involvement of the Government of Huíla in the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Preventing and Combating Corruption, as the decrease has to do with those who manage it having a different conduct, as in previous years the number of criminal cases sent varied from 10 to 20/year.
Celma da Silva Lourenço recalled that the prevention and repression of corruption is everyone’s responsibility and must start in the family, requiring a concerted effort to consolidate a culture of ethics and honesty in all sectors and reduce the rates of corrupt acts. .
For the prosecutor, the fight against corruption is not done in a single action or in one day, but imposes the need to adopt and implement policies, programs, measures and detection and repression mechanisms that promote a culture of good financial management of State resources. .
He said that for corruption to be an evil to be eradicated, it is imperative that everyone is involved and committed to the cause, guided by good administration and honesty in the performance of duties, avoiding practices that put at risk the credibility and authority of public administration, its bodies and services.
He considered the need for people to have structural values such as legality, probity, respect for public property, the pursuit of the public interest, responsibility and accountability, as well as transparency as a pillar in the exercise of their functions.
In Huíla, the activity celebrating the International Day Against Corruption was marked with two lectures, namely “Ethics and corruption” and “The harm of corruption”.
International Day Against Corruption is celebrated on December 9th. The date was established by the United Nations (UN) with the signing of the United Nations Convention against Corruption, on November 9, 2003, which came into force in 2005.
The purpose of the date is to raise awareness about corruption worldwide and to praise the role of the UN in combating corruption. On this day, people are encouraged to denounce corruption, publicize the date on social media, create actions and events to combat corruption and donate funds in favor of the most vulnerable.
For More News And Analysis About Angola Follow Africa-Press
