ACC seeks stronger powers, plans to criminalise non-compliance  

By: Selma Taapopi
 
The Anti-Corruption Commission is reviewing the Anti-Corruption Act No. 8 of 2003 to strengthen its investigative powers and address gaps that have limited its effectiveness.  

These include criminalising failure to implement recommendations by investigative authorities, tackling illicit enrichment and abuse of public office, improving financial accountability among public officials, and expanding the law to cover cybercrime. 
 
The ACC’s Director General Paulus Noa said the proposed reforms would also align other legislation, including the Public Procurement Act, to empower the commission to launch investigations whenever there are suspicions of corruption or irregularities. 
 
He stated that a particular area of focus would be on the awarding of public tenders. 
  
Noa also criticised what he described as the reluctance of many Namibians to support corruption investigations with credible evidence, stating while many people make allegations and publicly criticise the commission, few come forward with information. 
 
Noa said the ACC is often blamed for delays in corruption cases, even when matters are awaiting decisions from the Prosecutor-General or are before the courts. 
 
He noted that the ACC has no control over court processes, adding that congested court rolls remain a major obstacle to the timely conclusion of corruption cases.

The post ACC seeks stronger powers, plans to criminalise non-compliance   appeared first on Future Media News.