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ACC Pounces again

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By Surihe Gaomas WINDHOEK The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has seized a second alleged fraudster whom they arrested in the north. Thirty-one-year-old Toivo Munenguni, who works for the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry’s Rural Water Supply Directorate was arrested yesterday after it was discovered that he took money from villagers under false pretences. The suspect allegedly promised to make water connections to their homesteads for pay. Munenguni’s arrest came after he made connections to the wrong people, instead of the ones who applied for connections in the first place. The suspect who appeared in Oshakati Magistrate’s Court on the same day was released on bail of N$2 000. Disclosing the latest incident, Director of the ACC Paulus Noa said investigations revealed that three people were swindled by the suspect in the amounts of N$1 400; N$1 200 and N$1 000. Instead of putting the money into the government’s coffers, he pocketed it for his personal use. “There could be many more people involved in this kind of fraudulent activities and government is losing out a lot of money because of this,” explained Noa, adding that such practices have become a common crime in the country. Investigations are still ongoing said the director, who revealed that his anti-corruption drive in the North could lead to more people being nabbed. Two weeks ago, a school secretary at the People’s Primary School in Katutura was one of the first culprits to be caught by the ACC since its inception early this year. Thirty-two-year-old Prisca Auchas is currently facing two charges of forgery and theft of public funds to the tune of N$10 220. Auchas was held at the Wanaheda Police Station and appeared in the Katutura Magistrate Court for bail application. “The evidence against her is very strong and the investigations are still ongoing,” said Detective Inspector Phelem Masule, under the ACC. He hinted that more arrests could occur. “This one was one of our early cases at the Anti-Corruption Commission and more arrests are very much imminent especially in cases of abuse of government resources and people misusing their public positions,” he explained. The latest two arrests come just a couple of weeks after the Director of the Anti-Corruption Commission Paulus Noa briefed President Hifikepunye Pohamba about the official start of investigations. Many more arrests are anticipated to follow these two, as investigations into alleged corruption cases are underway. Noa informed New Era yesterday that investigations are in full swing and “people should not be surprised as more arrests are coming”.