Katima mulilo: Kabbe North Constituency councillor Bernard Sisamu has called for the establishment of an Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) office in Katima Mulilo, citing the logistical challenges of being served by a regional office located 500 kilometres away.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Sisamu, who also serves as the chairperson of the regional council management committee, made the remarks during the regional consultative meeting for the National Ethics and Anti-Corruption Policy Framework held in Katima Mulilo. He highlighted the necessity of having an ACC office in Katima Mulilo, emphasizing that the current distance to the nearest regional office in Rundu severely hinders local access to the anti-graft body.

Responding to the plea, ACC Director-General Paulus Noa disclosed that the primary obstacle to expansion is budgetary constraints. He acknowledged the need for more ACC offices across the country and assured that the commission would consider the request, despite financial limitations.

Noa reiterated the collective responsibility of combating corruption, urging public confidence in the anti-graft body. He warned of the various forms corruption can take, including embezzlement and illicit financial flows, and assured stakeholders of the commission's commitment to its mandate.

The regional engagement is part of a broader national effort to gather stakeholder input for Namibia's upcoming anti-graft roadmap. Zambezi Governor Dorothy Kabula-Simushi, during her keynote address, emphasized the importance of collaboration with the ACC in developing the Third National Anti-Corruption Strategy and Action Plan for 2026-2030. She called for a culture of integrity that discourages corruption and fosters public trust in State institutions.