IPPR questions ACC's commitment as probes drag on

The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has accused the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of failing to make meaningful progress on major corruption investigations.

Speaking during a public engagement on Thursday, IPPR researcher Frederico Links cited cases that have remained unresolved for years despite what he believes is clear evidence of wrongdoing.

Links referred to a report handed over to the ACC by former health minister Dr Bernard Haufiku, alleging corruption in the procurement of medicines in the public health sector.

He also referenced a Namibian Sun report published six years ago in which the ACC confirmed it was still investigating the matter – five years after receiving Haufiku's report.

"The matter is still under investigation more than a decade later. So, when we talk about political commitment, institutional commitment and a genuine commitment to fighting corruption, the evidence speaks for itself," Links said.

He argued that reports produced by the Procurement Policy Unit (PPU) within the finance ministry had already identified alleged irregularities and named individuals who should be subject to further investigation.

Links added that Namibia continues to revisit the same corruption concerns without seeing meaningful accountability or systemic reform.

Gathering dust

IPPR executive director Graham Hopwood said Namibia's anti-corruption efforts are undermined by failures to implement key transparency and accountability laws.

Hopwood pointed to delays in operationalising the Access to Information Act, which was passed in 2022 but remains unimplemented.

"We need to have an access to information law that is working," he said, adding that uncertainty surrounding the appointment of an information commissioner has raised concerns about government's commitment to transparency.

He also highlighted the continued failure to implement the Whistleblower Protection Act, which was passed in 2017.

"We're heading towards a decade on from that. We need effective and enforceable legislation that sends a powerful signal that this is a government that values integrity and accountability," Hopwood said.

Evidence-based

ACC director general Paulus Noa said the commission can only proceed when investigations produce sufficient evidence to support prosecution.

"The purpose of investigations is to gather evidence that proves the allegations reported. Only after that is done can the docket be submitted to the prosecutor general for a decision," Noa told Namibian Sun yesterday.

He stressed that investigations are not driven by a desire to make arrests but by the need to build prosecutable cases.

"Until substantive evidence is sufficiently gathered, there is no way that a docket can be submitted to the PG, since the PG cannot decide to prosecute on insufficient evidence."

Noa said the commission respects the views expressed by the IPPR but maintained that investigations must remain evidence-driven.

"IPPR can express their opinion, which we respect," he said.

"However, ACC acts on proven evidence. Whatever suspicions are reported to ACC are being investigated as long as reasonable grounds for such investigation exist."

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