ACC loses over 20 investigators over budget constraints

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has lost more than 20 investigators due to its inability to offer competitive salaries and benefits, Director General Paulus Noa has revealed.One of the most notable recent departures is that of former Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) member Werner Ngashikuao, who resigned from the ACC in March to join NamWater as head of auxiliary services.Noa said the ACC continues to lose skilled investigators to better-paying institutions such as the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA), the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), and the Bank of Namibia (BoN).“We have lost more than 20 investigators already. Why? Because we can’t offer competitive salaries or benefits. That’s the result of chronic underfunding,” he said.The ACC was allocated N$116 million for the 2025/26 financial year—a 9.96% increase from the previous year’s N$105 million. However, Noa insists the amount remains insufficient, particularly to finance newly created positions within its specialised anti-money laundering unit.Key to greylist removalThe establishment of the anti-money laundering unit is part of Namibia’s efforts to be removed from the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) grey list.“Namibia was greylisted, and we are working hard to get off that list. If we fail, we risk being shut out financially, which would severely damage investor confidence,” Noa told Namibian Sun.He explained that before major legal reforms in 2023, institutions like the ACC lacked the authority to investigate money laundering.“Take the SME Bank case, for example. Those in charge essentially destroyed it, yet the ACC had no jurisdiction to pursue money laundering charges,” he said.That legal gap was addressed through amendments to the Prevention of Organised Crime Act in 2023, which now authorises the ACC to investigate money laundering, alongside the Namibian Police.“FATF made it clear: Namibia cannot fight organised crime effectively if only some agencies have investigative authority while others don’t - and I agree,” Noa said.Despite the legislative changes, the newly created anti-money laundering positions remain unfunded.“We brought this issue to the finance ministry’s budget committee, because that’s where the process starts - not with parliament. Unfortunately, the positions remain unfunded,” Noa added. “It’s not just about salaries. We also need vehicles, equipment, and office space. All of that requires funding, which we currently don’t have.”He warned that Namibia risks failing FATF’s progress reviews if implementation of the recommendations stalls due to resource limitations.Underrepresented regionsThe ACC currently operates only five regional offices: Windhoek; Oshakati (serving surrounding northern regions); Otjiwarongo (covering Otjozondjupa and nearby areas); Swakopmund (for the coastal and Kunene regions); and Rundu (serving Kavango East, Kavango West, and the Zambezi Region).“Namibia has 14 regions, and all of them deserve an ACC office. That’s a fair and legitimate expectation. We must serve all our people,” Noa said.He added that while the commission wants to expand its regional presence, the current budget does not allow for it.“Look at the national budget. Who is the least-funded institution? It’s the Anti-Corruption Commission - and that’s unacceptable,” he said.Push for more commissionersNoa also addressed calls for legislative amendments to add commissioners who would function like a board of directors.“Some people are calling for the law to be changed to add more commissioners. But how will you fund those positions if we can’t even afford the investigators we need to function effectively?” he asked.He stressed that meaningful expansion and operational efficiency require increased funding. “Every region deserves an ACC office where people can report corruption directly. That’s what the public expects - and rightly so.”Fishrot caseAsked whether the call for increased funding is linked to the high-profile Fishrot corruption trial, Noa clarified that the case is no longer within the ACC’s purview.“That case has already been handed over to the Office of the Prosecutor General. Once that’s done, the cost of prosecution is no longer the ACC’s responsibility,” he said. “We’ve submitted everything. There might be minor follow-ups requested by the Prosecutor General, but the main investigation is complete on our end.”

ACC loses over 20 investigators over budget constraints

Comments

Namibian Sun 2026-03-26

Please login to leave a comment

ACC loses over 20 investigators over budget constraints

Comments

Namibian Sun 2026-03-26

Please login to leave a comment

Subscription Required to Access Content ×

Login

Subscription Required to Access Content