Simataa slams corruption report
Information minister Stanley Simataa this week said he rejected the outcome of a recent report on corruption by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR).
The report, titled 'The Role of the Private Sector in Tackling Corruption', was produced by IPPR associate researcher Johan Coetzee and published on 9 May 2018.
Briefing the media, Simataa said the research lacked content and quality empirical evidence. He added that outcomes are “prejudiced, heavily opinionated and blatantly pre-determined”.
Coetzee amongst others said the government is the common denominator in corrupt activities, and that government monopolies are one of the major contributing factors to sustaining a corrupt environment.
He also said there was little motivation for public sector reform as Swapo enjoyed a two-thirds majority in parliament and was secure because no opposition party was strong enough to topple it from power.
“If the political and public office-bearers who are responsible for drafting, approving and implementing legislation, policies, regulations and by-laws tolerate bribes, private sector will most certainly offer bribes to increase their profit,” said the research.
Simataa said the government values research, however the IPPR's research outcome did not consider the government's efforts in fighting corruption.
“The fight against corruption is an eternal collective national and global undertaking that demands the indulgence of every member of Namibian society, the private sector included,” he said.
He further emphasised that to be assured of success in the fight against corruption, government does not “need spectators nor surrogate defenders of private sector corruption”.
The minister said there is a need to for unity of action to isolate and deal with all those involved in corrupt practices, regardless of their standing in society.
Simataa noted that the government at the highest level has illustrated its resolve to root out corruption through the Anti-Corruption Commission.
NAMPA
The report, titled 'The Role of the Private Sector in Tackling Corruption', was produced by IPPR associate researcher Johan Coetzee and published on 9 May 2018.
Briefing the media, Simataa said the research lacked content and quality empirical evidence. He added that outcomes are “prejudiced, heavily opinionated and blatantly pre-determined”.
Coetzee amongst others said the government is the common denominator in corrupt activities, and that government monopolies are one of the major contributing factors to sustaining a corrupt environment.
He also said there was little motivation for public sector reform as Swapo enjoyed a two-thirds majority in parliament and was secure because no opposition party was strong enough to topple it from power.
“If the political and public office-bearers who are responsible for drafting, approving and implementing legislation, policies, regulations and by-laws tolerate bribes, private sector will most certainly offer bribes to increase their profit,” said the research.
Simataa said the government values research, however the IPPR's research outcome did not consider the government's efforts in fighting corruption.
“The fight against corruption is an eternal collective national and global undertaking that demands the indulgence of every member of Namibian society, the private sector included,” he said.
He further emphasised that to be assured of success in the fight against corruption, government does not “need spectators nor surrogate defenders of private sector corruption”.
The minister said there is a need to for unity of action to isolate and deal with all those involved in corrupt practices, regardless of their standing in society.
Simataa noted that the government at the highest level has illustrated its resolve to root out corruption through the Anti-Corruption Commission.
NAMPA
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