Drop Shalli Charges Or Bring Him To Book
By: Andrew Fordred, via e-mailLIEUTENANT General Martin Shalli (‘Shalli graft probe still on’, The Namibian 16/02/2010) remains suspended pending the outcome of an investigation. He allegedly received kickbacks from a Chinese company for awarding business to them.
Let us be clear, most investigations and criminal prosecutions are lost because of poor or inadequate investigation work based on either the lack of or tarnished evidence. In this case according to news reports, Deputy Inspector General of Operations in the Namibian Police, Major General Vilio Hifindaka is conducting the investigation. Why? Namibia has a fully functional ACC which is responsible for investigating corruption as mandated by an act of parliament – why the difference? Notwithstanding the ACC has previously been criticised through the media due to the fact it still fails to distinguish between corruption and others acts of fraud. Corruption is notoriously difficult to investigate and prosecute and one shudders at the thought that this may be another situation where the lines have become horribly distorted.
Remember, the allegation is that Shalli received a kickback for awarding tenders or business to a foreign company. Government has laid down tender/purchase procedures which also go for the NDF and nothing goes through the system without a multitude of signatures, this brings about the next question, how does one man (Lieutenant General Shalli, and we have not heard of anyone else being suspended) have the power to by-pass all these procedures and is able from what it sounds – to do as he pleases, including acts of corruption as alleged.
Let us also not forget, Shalli was/is a member of the Security Commission, it just so happens that Major General Hifindaka’s boss is Inspector General S.H. Ndeitunga, also a member of the Security Commission. We can hear the groans of Information Minister Kaapanda saying that any notion of underhandedness is “irresponsible and dangerous”. Maybe he has seen the light as he is quite right, because the current investigation is a conflict of interest of the most serious nature and the pebble in the shoe remains – why was an independent agency, ala ACC, not called in to investigate this issue.
It is unknown what experience Major General Hifindaka has in investigating any form of crime let alone corruption, he may be an excellent policeman, but there is a vast void between policing and investigations, and this is said with all respect intended. Shalli has been on suspension for 7 months, no result, no movement, and according to Major General Hifindaka he is unable to provide any form of due date to conclude the investigation.
This all points to inadequacies in the process or a serious lack of diligence on the part of the investigation – something is wrong, very wrong. Make no mistake, this is not intended to protect Shalli here, but be fair, either drop the whole thing weather the media fall out and let’s move on or charge and bring him to court to face the music, but – can you?