Sankwasa defends anti-corruption crusade, says ACC is 'dead'

Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa says he has taken it upon himself to confront corruption within municipalities because the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has, in his view, failed to carry out its mandate.

He described the ACC as “a dead body” incapable of rooting out corruption.

Sankwasa was responding to a Namibian Sun question about whether the alleged corruption and abuse he has uncovered – such as state land reportedly being exchanged for cars and motorbikes at the Katima Mulilo Town Council – had been reported to the ACC.

Just a week earlier, the minister publicly questioned the Kunene Regional Council for allegedly paying subsistence and travel allowances to staff members, including the chief regional officer, for trips that were never undertaken.

Sankwasa did not mince his words.

“It’s a dead body,” he said.

“More than five years ago, when I was deputy minister of works and transport, I submitted files to the ACC along with my then minister, John Mutorwa. They did nothing, and I have proof of that,” he explained.

“When I became minister, I thought things would change. I sent them more documents, and again, nothing happened. They didn’t even come back to me with any progress report.”

He added: “The community is already reporting these things to them, and they are failing to act. So they must not drag me into their failure. I gave them documents related to fraudulent activities in local authorities. They’ve done nothing.”

Mixed reactions

While Sankwasa's anti-corruption stance has been widely welcomed by members of the public, some within the ruling Swapo Party believe his approach is damaging the party's image by portraying its officials as corrupt.

In response, Sankwasa defended his actions and denied blindsiding local authorities.

“I never ambush a local authority. If someone were here, I would show you the correspondence,” he said.

“On 7 April, I wrote to the mayor of Katima Mulilo, asking why specific pieces of land were exchanged for cars. I asked whether they had obtained ministerial approval. I gave them a deadline. I’m not stupid – I don’t just show up unannounced.”

Disgruntled party members

Despite growing public support, some Swapo insiders are reportedly unhappy with the timing of Sankwasa’s anti-corruption campaign, fearing it could negatively impact the party’s performance in the upcoming regional and local authority elections in November.

“Swapo is doing a great job, but as a member of the party, he must be cautious,” one Swapo insider said.

“If Swapo performs poorly, he will be blamed. How can we campaign in these municipalities when such corruption is being exposed? The opposition will use it against us, especially since they already dominate some of these institutions," the insider added.

The source said some members are reportedly upset that Sankwasa was appointed by the president rather than elected through party structures.

Minister hits back

Sankwasa questioned whether Swapo’s recent electoral decline could fairly be blamed on him.

“Are you saying Swapo is going to lose because of me?” he asked.

“What caused Swapo to fail to reach 66 seats in parliament? Why can’t we get a two-thirds majority now? Was it Sankwasa?”

Political commentator Ndumba Kamwanyah said Sankwasa deserves praise for his efforts to root out corruption.

“We must applaud and appreciate minister Sankwasa,” Kamwanyah said.

“As President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has stated, it’s not business as usual. He is fulfilling his mandate, and I didn’t expect this kind of commitment from him. What he’s doing – holding public officials accountable – is what every minister and politician should do."

He stressed further that those "criticising him and saying it will hurt Swapo in the elections are anti-service delivery."

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