“Abuse of public property shall not be condoned, and the ACC will leave no stone unturned against the culprits,” Noa said in 2008.
Since then, Noa has unashamedly turned a blind eye when it comes to Swapo politicians abusing state resources.
Ruling party campaigns for the party’s vice presidential position and central committee positions are in full swing, with government vehicles being used across the length and breadth of the country.
Candidates include ministers and deputies who have full-time access to state vehicles, which are also prone to abuse.
While the majority suffer, national resources are being used to fund party political activities, including fuel, accommodation and subsistence and travel allowances.
Some campaign events are camouflaged as government-related activities: Candidates address communities, inspect government projects or make donations in their own name or that of their ministry.
This gives ministers free rein to use not only government vehicles but also security officials and assistants.
Noa told The Namibian this week that politicians are entitled to use their official vehicles for private purposes. “The fact that they are campaigning does not necessarily mean their security should be compromised,” he said.
This is unabated elitism. While the masses go hungry and homeless and lack access to health and security, no expense is spared when it comes to the security and comfort of the political elite.
In 2018, Noa and his colleagues at the ACC had a golden opportunity to set out clear guidelines on the use of state vehicles and resources for personal use.
Then National Council chairperson Magreth Mensah-Williams flew to South Africa on holiday and had her official vehicle driven down for her to use while in Cape Town.
ACC officials defended the use of the vehicle and admitted that there were no clear guidelines on the use of official vehicles.
That would have been the perfect time to review the guidelines and to act decisively in the interest of the nation. They didn’t.
Instead of strengthening political accountability, the ACC has contributed to the rampant abuse of state resources we are witnessing today.
Likewise, instead of taking the lead at a critical time in the country’s history, politicians are living high on the hog.
Namibians have been urged to tighten their belts while the government finds ways to get to grips with a vulnerable and struggling economy amid a cost of living crisis.
The average Namibian has no option but to confront stark realities on a daily basis.
Yet, politicians continue to drain limited state resources unchecked.
We are paying a heavy price for the ACC’s failure to act decisively when they had the chance.
The careless opulence, wastefulness and wanton abuse of state resources by politicians cannot be allowed to continue.
The ACC is meant to be a guardian of state resources. Politicians are meant to serve the nation and the people. Neither are doing their job.
