AR pledges to appoint commissioners to overhaul Anti-Corruption Commission

The Affirmative Repositioning (AR) plans to appoint commissioners to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) if elected to the government.

This was said by party leader Job Amupanda on Saturday during the AR’s manifesto launch.

“The AR will spearhead reform of the ACC, including the appointment of commissioners who will oversee the work of the director general,” he said.

Amupanda emphasised that corruption in Namibia has reached an endemic level.

“The ACC has often been found wanting. Millions of dollars meant for development end up in the pockets of the few.”

Amupanda said his government will ensure the decision to refer files to the prosecutor general is done by the commission, through commissioners, and not by one person – the director general.

He noted that the AR government would ensure that ministries, offices and agencies introduce measures to combat corruption.

“Where have you heard of a commission without commissioners? The ACC is the only commission without commissioners in Namibia,” he said.

“Countries that had the worst experience with corruption, such as Kenya, have moved from a one-man show to a transparent system, where various minds come to an objective, transparent and credible decision.”

He said the current system demotivates hard-working investigators who spend years investigating corruption, just to be told that the one individual with discretionary powers has decided there is no case and the file is closed.

“The commissioners, from different backgrounds, will also be able to bring in fresh ideas and approaches as opposed to an executive structure that operates on subjectivities enabled by discretionary power,” he said.

Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah agrees that reforms to the ACC are necessary.

“Restructuring leadership, as proposed by the AR, could improve accountability and effectiveness, but it depends on how well these changes are implemented.”

He said the ACC needs strong leadership, clear policies and independence from political influence.