Martin Endjala
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has dispatched teams of investigators across various regions of Namibia to investigate matters of alleged corruption.
The issues include a variety of cases of corruption reported countrywide, such as theft, mismanagement, unlawful appointments, and transaction approval, among others.
The ACC’s spokesperson, Josefina Nghituwamata confirmed this during a telephone interview with the Windhoek Observer last week.
“Yes, I can confirm that the commission has sent out a team to various regions to investigate alleged corruption matters. But I cannot provide the details at this time. The team’s investigations are not focused on one region or town but countrywide,” she clarified.
David Kharuchab, the Affirmative Repositioning movement’s (AR) chairperson of the Hardap region, confirmed that ACC investigators were in Aranos last week to interrogate staff members on alleged matters at the town council.
Kharuchab has requested that the ACC investigate the issue of corruption practices that have occurred in the council in the past and present.
“We demand that every 5th year and 6 months, local and regional councils must be audited before taking over a new council to account for what they have done in the past 5 years,” he said.
In May, in a letter to the Aranos CEO, the activist accused the Aranos Town Council of misconduct and corruption.
Kharuchab disclosed that a company associated with a council employee had received a tender.
He also disclosed the sudden disappearance of diesel in the council workshop.
The activists have since demanded answers, but he has yet to receive any.
“Imagine when I wrote that letter, until now, I have not received an answer from the CEO. It is good that the ACC is looking into cases at the council. But we are not sure about the specifics, and this is good news. The council must be held accountable,” he argued.
Recently, Deputy Commissioner Eric Clay, the coordinator of the Hardap regional crime investigation, confirmed the theft of 20 litres of diesel fuel at the workshop.
Clay said the investigations are still ongoing, with one security guard being arrested in connection with the disappearance of fuel.
The Windhoek Observer understands that Gobabis, Karasburg, Outjo, Grootfontein and Keetmanshoop are among the local authorities to be investigated.
On 2 August, the ACC announced the arrest of a Unam director of information communications and technology services, Tuyoleni Hamata, in contravention of Section 43 of the ACC Act No. 8 of 2003.
Hamata appeared in the Windhoek Magistrate Court last Friday and was granted bail of N$40 000.
The case was postponed to 1 November for further investigation.
