Maria David
THE Anti-Corruption Commission has submitted 768 dockets to the Prosecutor-General’s Office since its establishment, according to Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila.
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila was speaking during the Global Anti-Corruption and Integrity Forum High-Level Opening, which is underway in Paris.
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said that of those cases brought forward, a total of 343 cases have been concluded in the Court during the Financial Year 2022/2023.
“The country also enacted Whistleblower and Witness Protection Acts and established an independent Financial Intelligence Centre,” she said.
She added that various initiatives have been implemented to enhance the efficiency of judiciary management systems in the country and strengthen the integrity and transparency of the Judiciary, such as the court-connected mediation available in the High Court of Namibia since 2014.
Additionally, she indicated that the Superior Courts have practice directives in place to manage cases promptly once they are placed on the court rolls. Judges oversee the management of cases, and they set timelines for their resolution from inception to finalization.
However, Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said that new and evolving challenges are emerging. One of the most pressing challenges they face is the increasing use of technology in corruption schemes.
“Cybercrime, and other digital threats are becoming more sophisticated and complex to detect. We should, therefore, remain vigilant and work together to harmonize our laws, share information, and coordinate enforcement efforts,” she added.
Further, she said that increased transparency, robust regulatory frameworks, and enhanced monitoring mechanisms are crucial to prevent and detect illicit financial activities through which large amounts of resources are siphoned out of mainly natural resources-endowed countries.
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila indicated that many of these countries, most of which are developing countries, have a large part of whose populations are poor, are forced as a result of this into high and unsustainable debt.
She added that sharing capacity for strengthening anti-corruption measures, including in the area of strengthening the governance framework, enhancing financial intelligence capabilities, promoting information sharing, and holding perpetrators accountable are vital steps in curbing illicit financial flows.
Thus, Kuugongelwa-Amadhila stressed that Namibia remains steadfast in its commitment to combating corruption and promoting integrity in all spheres of its society.
