The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Monday celebrated the African Anti-Corruption Day by launching the anti-corruption guidelines for examinations of practices, systems and procedures in public and private bodies in Windhoek.
These guidelines will complement other prevention efforts and tools such as corruption risk assessments and public education to close corruption loopholes in Namibia.
Speaking at the launch, ACC Deputy Director Erna van der Merwe said the day offers an opportunity for the continent to reflect and join forces in the fight against corruption, while bolstering the efforts of all stakeholders in fighting corruption.
The day, which was held under the theme ‘Strategies and Mechanisms for Transparent Management of COVID-19 funds’, came at a time when there is a need to highlight the importance of accountability and workable solutions in the handling of funds allocated towards addressing COVID-19.
“There is no doubt that corruption thrives in times of crisis and the ongoing global pandemic has not been an exception. During this time, fighting corruption can mean the difference between life and death, adequate food or hunger and having a roof over your head, or being homeless,” she said.
Van der Merwe stated that so far, the ACC has not received any complaints of corruption cases involving the direct management of COVID-19 funds that warranted investigation.
This, she said, was a result of measures put in place by the government and other sectors at the beginning of the pandemic to ensure that the COVID-19 funds were used for their intended purpose.
Meanwhile, Van der Merwe noted that journalism remains a critical tool in exposing corruption, while also being responsible for distributing information to help citizens, saying there is a need to capacitate the industry.
“It is for this reason that the protection of whistle-blowers, inclusive of media, is enshrined in the Anti-Corruption Commission Act (number 8 of 2003) subsection 4 of 52. As a commission, we remain proponents of nurturing mutual relations with the media,” she said.
ACC also organised a panel discussion which featured representatives of civil society, media personalities and academics who tackled the topic ‘Strategies and mechanisms for better collaborations with the media (investigative journalists) as critical apparatus in flagging instances of corruption, amongst others, during the COVID-19 pandemic.’
Source: The Namibian Press Agency
