Walvis Bay
A staggering 52 percent of alleged corruption cases reported as from 2014 to date in the Erongo Region were closed without being investigated by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
Apart from that, 13 percent were closed without being referred to any other law enforcement agency, while a mere one percent awaits the prosecutor general’s ruling for possible prosecution.
Eight percent of the cases were closed due to unsubstantiated evidence during investigations.
Nine percent are currently being dealt with in courts and 13 percent have been closed without referral.
Only one percent is pending arrest and two percent of reported cases are currently being investigated.
Three percent of the cases were closed as prosecution was denied.
The Directorate of Public Education and Corruption Prevention presented these statistics to the business community at Walvis Bay.
According to Liniette de Jagger, senior public education and corruption prevention officer, cases currently being dealt with by the ACC include the corruption case against the Topnaar Chief, Seth Kooitjie, and cases against officials of the Henties Bay, Omaruru and Walvis Bay municipalities.
She added that a recently self-opinionated study by the ACC also shows that 68 percent of the country’s population one way or another paid bribes to corrupt officials mainly to corrupt law enforcement, customs and income tax department officials.
However she is of the opinion that personal integrity is one of the ways corruption can be rooted out in the region. She also took the opportunity to introduce the integrity management programme, a tool that the ACC recently adopted to help prevent the possible engagement of corruption practices within organisations.
“Personal integrity is needed so that one realises the consequences of corruption not only on individuals but the country as well,” she said.
Participants at the seminar suggested that a culture to educate children at home be instilled by parents to ensure their children know the consequences of corruption from a tender age.