APP promises independent corruption watchdog

The All People's Party (APP) has proposed the establishment of an independent Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) that is completely free from government appointments.Speaking at the party's manifesto launch in Rundu on Saturday, APP president Ambrosius Kumbwa emphasised the need for change to the current system, arguing that the existing ACC is ineffective and politically compromised. "We have had a director for the ACC since 2006, yet if you look at our budget of N$94.4 billion, a staggering N$34 billion has been lost to corruption – with no trace of where it went. Why do we have ACC in this country if it cannot stop such massive theft?" he wanted to know.Kumbwa’s comments come amid growing concerns over the country’s ability to fight corruption. He pointed out that the current structure, where government officials appoint the ACC leadership, allows for political interference and hinders effective investigation and prosecution of corruption cases."We need an independent ACC that is not appointed by the government or its cronies. If we can achieve this, we can reduce corruption by at least 20%. Studies from the United Nations Development Programme show that 50% of countries that have implemented independent anti-corruption bodies have seen significant success in curbing graft."Corruption reformsKumbwa highlighted that public funds lost as a result of corruption could have been used to alleviate poverty and fund critical social programmes, including the introduction of a targeted basic income grant."If we had kept that N$34 billion, we wouldn't be facing hunger in this country. Instead, we could have funded a N$5 000 basic income grant for needy families, supported national sports activities and upgraded much-needed infrastructure," he said.The promise of a reformed ACC comes as part of a broader anti-corruption platform that the party plans to prioritise if elected into office. Kumbwa said an APP-led government would ensure transparency across all sectors and hold those guilty of corruption accountable, regardless of their political connections."The APP is committed to fighting corruption and ensuring that Namibia's resources benefit its people, not just a select few. Corruption is the enemy of development, and we will not condone it," he stressed.The party president further accused Swapo of enabling corruption while ignoring the pressing needs of the people. "The current government supports corruption and unemployment in many sectors. They see the problems, but do nothing about them. The APP will change that. We are ready to lead Namibia into a future of transparency, justice and equal opportunity," Kumbwa said.nikanor@erongo.com.na

APP promises independent corruption watchdog

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-04

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APP promises independent corruption watchdog

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-04

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