Geingob serious in war on graft

President Hage Geingob this week urged citizens to approach the Anti-Corruption Commission if they were aware of corrupt practices.According to Geingob, his administration was committed to fighting corruption and cited recently established state-owned enterprise Namibia Desert Diamonds.“It will help if we have good facts. If you have facts approach the minister [of public enterprises], blow the whistle. Government has never turned a blind eye to corruption,” said Geingob, adding, “Namdia is already being investigated. The ministry of public enterprises is looking into it.”Turning a blind eye to corruption was in Geingob's opinion, the same as doing the deed. “Sitting silently and turning a blind eye to wrong things is tantamount to corruption. The Namibian government has never turned a blind eye to wrongdoings,” he said.Having been linked to Chinese businessman Jack Huang who is now charged for tax evasion and money-laundering in a case involving N$3.5 billion, Geingob said once again he was not involved and steered clear of investigations.“If the president is not serious about corruption, why did he not intervene to protect his friend?” Geingob asked.“Friend or no friend, child or no child, the records are there.”He also claimed that he was the target of a witch hunt that sought to discredit him but he was clean.“You have targeted me and you have failed! I am transparent. In Africa they warned me that if you are transparent they will come after you,” he said.Geingob added that unpopular decisions had been taken to not only protect public finances but also fight corruption, which included investigations into the construction of the bulk fuel storage facility, the revaluation of the Xaris power project and the shelving of the upgrade of the Hosea Kutako International Airport.According to him, an investigation against corrupt practices regarding the construction of the national oil storage facility is still underway.“Furthermore, civil and criminal action is being considered against those suspected to have knowingly misled government,” said Geingob.Other cases under investigation according to Geingob also included the missing millions syphoned out of the GIPF's Development Capital Portfolio, Avid and the Namibia Tourism Board's Kora Awards saga.“All these cases have been investigated or are under investigation, so action has been taken,” Geingob said.Turning his attention to the SME Bank, he dismissed allegations that he was its founder and pointed out that because he had served as minister of trade and industry at the time, he was at the forefront of its formation.“The SME Bank was never a 'Hage project'. It came about as a result of a cabinet resolution. I am not quiet on the SME Bank. Action is being taken and the courts are going to deal with that,” he said.He also defended former SME Bank chairpersons Frans Kapofi and George Simataa, saying Bank of Namibia also failed on time to detect gross negligence at the liquidated bank.Taking a jab at the DTA's request for an inquiry to be launched into the affairs of the SME Bank, Geingob in response to a question raised, asked why the DTA's request was being discussed at State House.“Why are you bringing dying things here?” Geingob asked. “We are not here to discuss the DTA, let them have their inquiry. Go and get the investigation, we are doing it our way.”According to him, the DTA was welcome to debate the merits of an inquiry in parliament.“It will be better for the opposition to debate it there. The DTA has a right to ask questions in parliament,” Geingob noted.He acknowledged that the litigation process was in some instances delayed but said government was working towards strengthening the judicial system.“I do agree to the saying that justice delayed is justice denied, and we must do more to strengthen and streamline our processes, systems and institutions to ensure that justice are meted out in a timely fashion. In this regard, we are committed to ensuring that our judicial system is adequately resourced to expeditiously attend to matters of wrongdoing,” Geingob concluded. OGONE TLHAGE

Geingob serious in war on graft

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-18

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Geingob serious in war on graft

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-18

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