President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s decision to focus on current rather than past corruption has drawn criticism from opposition leaders and analysts, who argue it undermines accountability.
Popular Democratic Movement leader McHenry Venaani has described the president’s decision not to pursue ‘old’ cases of corruption as paying lip service.
Nandi-Ndaitwah announced this at the opening of the eighth Cabinet yesterday.
“She must not hide corruption. Let’s pursue it whenever it manifests itself – old or new. Anything less is paying lip service,” Venaani told The Namibian.
Nandi-Ndaitwah at her first Cabinet meeting yesterday said: “I’m not going to follow things that happened before I was here, but things happening from 21 March.
“I’m not going to witch-hunt anybody, but from now on, there should be no delay.”
National Unity Democratic Organisation secretary general Joseph Kauandenge described the president’s decision as “strange and sad”.
He said when one takes over any administration, one takes it over with its good and bad aspects.
“If there were acts of corruption committed before she took over, that remains her responsibility.
She must make sure she persecutes those who are guilty,” he said.
Kauandenge believes Nandi-Ndaitwah is sending the bad and dangerous message that those guilty of corruption will not be prosecuted.
‘BREAK FROM THE SHACKLES’
Advocate Richard Metcalfe says it is high time that Namibia break free from the shackles of the past.
“We continue to waste time and money on selective Anti-Corruption Commission prosecutions.
It would be far more effective to go for asset forfeiture orders where cases are alleged to exist from the past,” he says.
Metcalfe says prosecution is, however, at the discretion of the prosecutor general, and not that of the president.
The president would then have to pardon suspects in cases of corruption which arose prior to her tenure, he says.
Metcalfe says Nandi-Ndaitwah has the constitutional authorisation to do so.
South West Africa National Union president Evilastus Kaaronda says it’s hard to know exactly what the president meant, adding that matters before court must reach their natural conclusion.
“Others coming anew must follow the established legal process,” he says.
Kaaronda says it is not up to the president to choose which cases to pursue.
Nandi-Ndaitwah yesterday urged Cabinet ministers to make sure all public servants in offices, ministries, and agencies maintain high ethical standards at all times.
“We, as ministers, have a responsibility to do this. Let me emphasise the fact that the attainment of sustainable economic development in Namibia can only be realised through an accountable and efficient administration,” she said.
She reminded ministers that their duty is to serve the citizens, investors, and visitors timelessly and equally.
She acknowledged that there may be challenges in the pursuit of fair tax lending, but the ministers must act decisively and with focus to deliver tangible and lasting changes in the socio-economic status of the people.
“We made a promise to improve their lives. I shall maintain a position that we are too few to be poor. We have a responsibility to deliver on our promises,” she said.
The president urged her ministers to hit the ground running to fulfil their mandates.
United People’s Movement president Jan van Wyk said cases of alleged corruption need to be dealt with to ensure accountability.
His concern is that if perpetrators are linked to the misuse of public funds, there is no way any government can look the other way unless involved itself.
“If she decides to kick off on that note, her government is going down from the onset. Who is she afraid of?” Van Wyk asked.
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