Churches condemn corruption, violence

Churches condemn corruption, violence

THE Council of Churches in Namibia (CCN) has expressed concern about increasing corruption in Namibia.

In a press release yesterday, CCN President Schalk Pienaar said although the church group supported President Hifikepunye Pohamba’s stance against corruption, Government’s efforts remained inadequate. The CCN said corruption was not only the mismanagement of funds but also “the unauthorised telephone call, the office paper clip that you have taken for personal use and unproductive time wasting at work”.Pienaar said Namibia already had the unenviable distinction of being the most unequal society in the world in terms of income distribution, and therefore corruption could not be tolerated.He said corruption had long-term negative impacts on the economy as it undermined peace and stability, with only a privileged few and those in positions of power benefiting from it.Furthermore, corruption discouraged foreign and local investment and resulted in the public losing confidence in Government institutions.”While we appreciate the efforts of our Government, and particularly our courts, to curb corrupt practices and violence, it appears that these efforts are inadequate,” Pienaar said.He urged Government to establish the Anti-Corruption Commission as soon as possible to bolster President Pohamba’s fight against corruption.The CCN President said it was essential for Government to make deliberate attempts to restore public confidence in Government institutions and, most importantly, to empower the courts to deal swiftly and effectively with corruption cases.Pienaar urged churches to lead the procession against corruption by condemning greed, covetousness, dishonesty and theft in sermons.The statement added that the CCN was appalled by reports of brutal rapes and murders of women.”We condemn all forms of violence which may be defined as the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual against oneself, another person or a group or community that results in injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment or deprivation.”The CCN said corruption was not only the mismanagement of funds but also “the unauthorised telephone call, the office paper clip that you have taken for personal use and unproductive time wasting at work”.Pienaar said Namibia already had the unenviable distinction of being the most unequal society in the world in terms of income distribution, and therefore corruption could not be tolerated.He said corruption had long-term negative impacts on the economy as it undermined peace and stability, with only a privileged few and those in positions of power benefiting from it.Furthermore, corruption discouraged foreign and local investment and resulted in the public losing confidence in Government institutions.”While we appreciate the efforts of our Government, and particularly our courts, to curb corrupt practices and violence, it appears that these efforts are inadequate,” Pienaar said.He urged Government to establish the Anti-Corruption Commission as soon as possible to bolster President Pohamba’s fight against corruption.The CCN President said it was essential for Government to make deliberate attempts to restore public confidence in Government institutions and, most importantly, to empower the courts to deal swiftly and effectively with corruption cases.Pienaar urged churches to lead the procession against corruption by condemning greed, covetousness, dishonesty and theft in sermons.The statement added that the CCN was appalled by reports of brutal rapes and murders of women.”We condemn all forms of violence which may be defined as the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual against oneself, another person or a group or community that results in injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment or deprivation.”

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