ACC to spend N$100 000 on experts

THE Anti-Corruption Commission has allocated N$100 000 for specialised consultancy services to boost complex investigations and strategy development during the 2026/27 financial year.

This is contained in the commission’s N$1.9-million budget for the 2026/27 financial year, tabled in the National Assembly on Friday.

ACC spokesperson Marina Matundu yesterday said the allocation for experts is intended for consultancy services to support the evaluation of the current National Anti-Corruption Strategy and Action Plan and the development of the upcoming strategy and action plan for 2026 to 2030.

“This is an outsourcing arrangement designed to ensure independent, high-quality technical input, as such specialised skills are not always available in-house,” she said.

Matundu said while there may be concerns about cost, the move is an investment.

Engaging consultants for this purpose is more cost-effective than maintaining permanent specialised staff, she said.

The budget has also allocated N$2.8 million to renting regional offices at Swakopmund, Rundu, Oshakati, and Otjiwarongo.

An amount of N$1 million is further budgeted for maintenance expenses.

Matundu said rent is paid on a monthly basis, which the allocated money will cover for the year.

The commission currently rents office space across all regions, as well as additional warehouse facilities to store items that have been repossessed during the course of investigations, she said.

Matundu said although the commission has a dedicated team of investigators, certain corruption cases require specialised expertise, explaining the funds allocated to such skills.

Lawyer Richard Metcalfe says in the Fishrot fraud and corruption case, for example, the ACC testified that the audit had cost N$15 million by 2022, and a further N$7 million had been spent.

“N$100 000 will not buy them much expertise,” he says.

Swapo parliamentarian James Uerikua during the budget discussion in the National Assembly on Monday called for more funding for the commission, saying the midterm budget should allocate additional funds to allow the commission to run its affairs unhindered.

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