Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Tracy Tafirenyika
Published on 2024-04-06 06:00:00
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has come under scrutiny for exceeding their expenditure by an unauthorized amount of N$89 957, as revealed in a report by the auditor general (AG) Junias Kandjeke on the ACC’s accounts for the financial year ending 31 March 2023. This breach of the State Finance Act raised concerns about the commission’s financial management.
The report pointed out that the ACC had obtained Treasury authorization to use expected savings for certain expenses through virements during the year. However, two operational subdivisions exceeded their allocated budget by N$89 957, which was deemed unauthorized under the State Finance Act. Kandjeke recommended that the accounting officer closely monitor the commission’s financial standing to prevent such occurrences in the future.
In response to these findings, Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) lawmaker Maximalliant Katjimune called for the removal of ACC director general Paulus Noa. Katjimune accused the ACC of promoting corruption instead of fighting it, citing issues with Noa’s leadership. The PDM had previously contested Noa’s reappointment in 2021, highlighting concerns about corruption within the institution.
Analyst Joseph Sheehama emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in the ACC’s operations. He stressed the need for the commission to adhere to good corporate governance principles and maintain credibility through sound accounting practices. Sheehama suggested implementing checks and balances to prevent unauthorized expenditure and ensure proper documentation of all financial transactions.
When asked for a comment, Noa directed inquiries to the executive director (ED) of the ACC, citing a lack of access to the report at that time. This response raised further questions about the accountability and transparency of the ACC’s leadership.
Overall, the report’s findings have sparked calls for accountability and reform within the ACC to address the unauthorized expenditure and restore public trust in the institution. It is essential for the ACC to uphold transparency, accountability, and good governance practices to fulfill its mandate as the watchdog for irregularities in Namibia. By addressing these issues and implementing appropriate measures, the ACC can strengthen its oversight and financial management processes to prevent future breaches of the State Finance Act.
Read the original article on The Namibian
