Punishment for Those Who Transgress

CONSIDERING we spend a minimum of 40 hours a week at work, it stands to reason that we should at least be doing something about issues related to governance and corruption.

This is particularly true if we accept the premise that poor governance and corruption are corrosive of economic and social development in Namibia. With regard to our country, whilst it is true that Namibia is not a corrupt country yet, the country has experienced various types of corruption:*Grand Corruption- such as the ODC’s N$100 million so-called investment that is likely to disappear without any trace and the on-going inquiry into the Social Security Commission’s dishing out N$30 million to investment companies that involves alleged payoffs to high level politicians and senior government officials; etc* Widespread Systemic Corruption-such as the Ministry of Defence’s N$3.2 million that disappeared mysteriously under the guise of payment to an arms dealer and the sidestepping of Treasury Instructions; the N$7 million dished by Kalahari Holdings Company to an upstart investment company currently embroiled in the N$30 million from the SSC; the Namibia Airport Company’s theft of over N$3 million that was squandered under the noses of management and the Board of Directors; the payment of substantial bribes to high-placed senior officials and high-level politicians at the Roads Authority Company, Social Security Commission, Drought Relief Programme of the early 1990s and the recent Caprivigate Scandal where about 18,000 bags of maize were allowed to rot in awarehouse due to ruthless incompetence and negligence by senior civil servants.We know who’s who, including beneficiaries!* Petty Corruption that most of us are familiar with, such as one high-placed official known as Mr Percentage because he demands a percentage for whatever favour he accomplishes with clients.Petty corruption, therefore, involves modest but recurrent payments to avoid delays, jump queues or to obtain goods in controlled markets.Most of us think that our employers, whether in the Public or Private Sectors, owe us something.It is us who should be thankful that we are gainfully employed.Hence, we should be prepared to accept severe punishment if we transgress any acceptable norm, whether it is a question of conflict of interest or abusing our offices for private gain because we are talking about the “public interest” that is at stake.In case I am misread by doubting Thomases and accused of sour grapes, let me categorically state that I have experienced this issue personally in the form of “conflict of interest” whereby I was compelled to resign my senior post in government.I paid my dues and I have been rehabilitated and need a second chance.This was the prudent thing to do but I dare say that had I committed a crime, I would have been arrested and prosecuted and made an example of.I am perpelexed, however, that some well- placed individuals, with dubious backgrounds or criminal records, are untouchables due to the fact that they have political support.As the adage goes, ‘people who live in glass houses should not throw stones’.We need to expose such people for they are frauds.Based on the above.I wholeheartedly endorse the President’s policy of “Zero Tolerance” of all types of corruption.President Hifikepunye Pohamba has adopted from the outset the policy of ‘Zero Tolerance’ and is a clear testimony about the Government’s serious commitment to pursue the fight against corruption.Conversely, I also encourage patriotic Namibians to expose those who are corrupt or engage in corrupt practices, whether in the Public and Private Sectors, through whistleblowing or any other legal means.True, Namibia is not a corrupt country per se as compared, for example to Nigeria, but the signs are flickering and there is an urgent need to tackle it head-on.We are tired of “recycling” corrupt individuals by reshuffling them from one post to another.With the soon-to-be created Anti-Corruption Commission with Scorpion-type of enforcement powers like in South Africa, let us declare war on all kleptomaniacs in this country.The majority of ordinary Namibians are sick and tired of exorbitant economic and social costs excerbated by these daylight robbers and crooks.Josephat Sinvula OshanaWith regard to our country, whilst it is true that Namibia is not a corrupt country yet, the country has experienced various types of corruption: *Grand Corruption- such as the ODC’s N$100 million so-called investment that is likely to disappear without any trace and the on-going inquiry into the Social Security Commission’s dishing out N$30 million to investment companies that involves alleged payoffs to high level politicians and senior government officials; etc * Widespread Systemic Corruption-such as the Ministry of Defence’s N$3.2 million that disappeared mysteriously under the guise of payment to an arms dealer and the sidestepping of Treasury Instructions; the N$7 million dished by Kalahari Holdings Company to an upstart investment company currently embroiled in the N$30 million from the SSC; the Namibia Airport Company’s theft of over N$3 million that was squandered under the noses of management and the Board of Directors; the payment of substantial bribes to high-placed senior officials and high-level politicians at the Roads Authority Company, Social Security Commission, Drought Relief Programme of the early 1990s and the recent Caprivigate Scandal where about 18,000 bags of maize were allowed to rot in awarehouse due to ruthless incompetence and negligence by senior civil servants.We know who’s who, including beneficiaries! * Petty Corruption that most of us are familiar with, such as one high-placed official known as Mr Percentage because he demands a percentage for whatever favour he accomplishes with clients.Petty corruption, therefore, involves modest but recurrent payments to avoid delays, jump queues or to obtain goods in controlled markets.Most of us think that our employers, whether in the Public or Private Sectors, owe us something.It is us who should be thankful that we are gainfully employed.Hence, we should be prepared to accept severe punishment if we transgress any acceptable norm, whether it is a question of conflict of interest or abusing our offices for private gain because we are talking about the “public interest” that is at stake.In case I am misread by doubting Thomases and accused of sour grapes, let me categorically state that I have experienced this issue personally in the form of “conflict of interest” whereby I was compelled to resign my senior post in government.I paid my dues and I have been rehabilitated and need a second chance.This was the prudent thing to do but I dare say that had I committed a crime, I would have been arrested and prosecuted and made an example of.I am perpelexed, however, that some well- placed individuals, with dubious backgrounds or criminal records, are untouchables due to the fact that they have political support.As the adage goes, ‘people who live in glass houses should not throw stones’.We need to expose such people for they are frauds.Based on the above.I wholeheartedly endorse the President’s policy of “Zero Tolerance” of all types of corruption.President Hifikepunye Pohamba has adopted from the outset the policy of ‘Zero Tolerance’ and is a clear testimony about the Government’s serious commitment to pursue the fight against corruption.Conversely, I also encourage patriotic Namibians to expose those who are corrupt or engage in corrupt practices, whether in the Public and Private Sectors, through whistleblowing or any other legal means.True, Namibia is not a corrupt country per se as compared, for example to Nigeria, but the signs are flickering and there is an urgent need to tackle it head-on.We are tired of “recycling” corrupt individuals by reshuffling them from one post to another.With the soon-to-be created Anti-Corruption Commission with Scorpion-type of enforcement powers like in South Africa, let us declare war on all kleptomaniacs in this country. The majority of ordinary Namibians are sick and tired of exorbitant e
conomic and social costs excerbated by these daylight robbers and crooks. Josephat Sinvula Oshana