EDITORIAL: Laws must empower, not frustrate

Institutions can only be as effective as the laws that govern them. Even the most capable investigators, regulators or prosecutors will struggle if legislation leaves them powerless to act when wrongdoing is uncovered.

Outgoing Anti-Corruption Commission director general Paulus Noa has highlighted a glaring weakness in the Anti-Corruption Act. According to him, the ACC can spend months investigating allegations, uncover misconduct and recommend disciplinary action, only for accounting officers to ignore those recommendations without consequence. If that is indeed the law, then Parliament should move swiftly to fix it.

The same principle applies across government. Whether it is the ACC, the police, environmental regulators or labour inspectors, institutions should not be expected to deliver results while operating with blunt legal instruments.

Laws must evolve to address new realities, close loopholes and ensure accountability. They should deter misconduct, not inadvertently shield it.

Strengthening legislation is not about giving institutions unchecked powers. It is about ensuring they have the legal authority to carry out the responsibilities entrusted to them.

When laws become obstacles instead of tools, it is not only institutions that fail. The public loses confidence that justice can prevail.