Ratepayers gang up on ACC for sitting on 'corruption'
Windhoek, Okahandja and Gobabis ratepayers, along with the Right to Shelter Group, delivered a petition to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) yesterday, calling for urgent action on unresolved corruption and maladministration complaints dating back to 2019.
The petition was handed over to ACC deputy director-general Erna Van Der Merwe.
In Okahandja, residents reported allegations of maladministration and corruption in August 2023, including concerns over the appointment of Redforce Debt Management. Despite numerous follow-ups, no updates have been provided, leaving the community frustrated.
In Gobabis, complaints dating as far back as 2019, with additional submissions in 2022 and 2023, remain unresolved.
These include allegations of corruption within the municipality and the destruction of crucial evidence, such as 17 garbage bags of official documents.
Similarly, in Windhoek, residents expressed concerns in September 2023 regarding the renewal of Redforce Debt Management’s contract, with due procedures allegedly not followed.
Vulnerable residents
Group representative Shawn Gariseb highlighted the severe impact of these delays, particularly on vulnerable groups like pensioners. “Many of you don’t know what it feels like to face debts of N$80 000. Our problem is not with individuals, but the lack of respect for ordinary Namibians’ struggles,” Gariseb said, emphasising the emotional toll and financial strain the community faces as a result of delayed or prolonged investigations.
The petition included demands for the appointment of special investigators under Article 14 of the ACC Act to handle local authority matters.
The residents also requested clear updates on the status and timelines of investigations, as well as immediate measures to safeguard evidence and prevent future tampering.
They expressed concern that unresolved issues, such as the alleged shredding of documents in Gobabis, could compromise ongoing investigations.
Diligent work underway
Responding to the petition, Van Der Merwe refuted claims of inaction, saying the ACC is committed to conducting thorough investigations.
“You are mistaken if you think we’re not serious. Some cases involve maladministration, which we’ve referred to the Ombudsman and the urban and rural development minister. Arrests will occur when appropriate,” she said. Van Der Merwe added that premature arrests would undermine the integrity of the cases and insisted that the ACC is working diligently to address the complaints.
The concerned groups have given the ACC a deadline of 28 February to provide a substantive response. Failure to meet this deadline will result in a sit-in protest, during which the groups plan to call for presidential intervention under Section 9 of the ACC Act.
The petition was handed over to ACC deputy director-general Erna Van Der Merwe.
In Okahandja, residents reported allegations of maladministration and corruption in August 2023, including concerns over the appointment of Redforce Debt Management. Despite numerous follow-ups, no updates have been provided, leaving the community frustrated.
In Gobabis, complaints dating as far back as 2019, with additional submissions in 2022 and 2023, remain unresolved.
These include allegations of corruption within the municipality and the destruction of crucial evidence, such as 17 garbage bags of official documents.
Similarly, in Windhoek, residents expressed concerns in September 2023 regarding the renewal of Redforce Debt Management’s contract, with due procedures allegedly not followed.
Vulnerable residents
Group representative Shawn Gariseb highlighted the severe impact of these delays, particularly on vulnerable groups like pensioners. “Many of you don’t know what it feels like to face debts of N$80 000. Our problem is not with individuals, but the lack of respect for ordinary Namibians’ struggles,” Gariseb said, emphasising the emotional toll and financial strain the community faces as a result of delayed or prolonged investigations.
The petition included demands for the appointment of special investigators under Article 14 of the ACC Act to handle local authority matters.
The residents also requested clear updates on the status and timelines of investigations, as well as immediate measures to safeguard evidence and prevent future tampering.
They expressed concern that unresolved issues, such as the alleged shredding of documents in Gobabis, could compromise ongoing investigations.
Diligent work underway
Responding to the petition, Van Der Merwe refuted claims of inaction, saying the ACC is committed to conducting thorough investigations.
“You are mistaken if you think we’re not serious. Some cases involve maladministration, which we’ve referred to the Ombudsman and the urban and rural development minister. Arrests will occur when appropriate,” she said. Van Der Merwe added that premature arrests would undermine the integrity of the cases and insisted that the ACC is working diligently to address the complaints.
The concerned groups have given the ACC a deadline of 28 February to provide a substantive response. Failure to meet this deadline will result in a sit-in protest, during which the groups plan to call for presidential intervention under Section 9 of the ACC Act.
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