Africa-Press – Namibia. Anti-Corruption Commission chief investigating officer Phelem Masule says there is a decline in the number of corruption cases being reported.
Speaking at an event in Windhoek to mark International Anti-Corruption Day on Thursday, Masule said the ACC has seen a decline in the number of corruption cases being reported to it from 2017 to 2021.
He recounted that in 2017 to 2018 there were 385 cases reported to the ACC, followed by 380 cases in 2018 to 2019, 187 in 2019 to 2020, and 120 cases in 2020 to 2021. Masule said although there is a decline one cannot conclude that there is no corruption, as there are a number of reasons for the decrease.
He added that the ACC does public education to prevent corruption. Information is reaching where the commission wants it to reach and people now have a better understanding about corruption, said Masule.
ACC director general Paulus Noa said it is important for people to be vocal and speak up against corruption in their communities, in the media and on emerging digital platforms.
“Our core responsibility in fighting against corruption also calls for us to promote systems of integrity, characterised by a sense of accountability and transparency and compliance,” Noa said.
During a panel discussion, many speakers accused the ACC of incompetence and poor performance. Media ombudsman John Nakuta said there is a need for a coalition between the ACC and the media.
“The ACC should educate journalists on issues they are dealing with and it’s our responsibility – all of us, politicians, academics, church leaders – to fight corruption,” Nauta said.
“It’s not just the ACC, it’s all our responsibility because corruption affects everyone,” he said.
For More News And Analysis About Namibia Follow Africa-Press
