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Viewing cable 06WINDHOEK79, POHAMBA LAUNCHES ANTI-CORRUPTION COMMISSION

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Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
06WINDHOEK79 2006-02-03 10:31 2011-08-25 00:00 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Embassy Windhoek
VZCZCXRO5048
RR RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR
DE RUEHWD #0079/01 0341031
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 031031Z FEB 06
FM AMEMBASSY WINDHOEK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7962
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0035
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0085
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 WINDHOEK 000079 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR LLOYD PIERSON 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV EAID ECON PHUM WA
SUBJECT: POHAMBA LAUNCHES ANTI-CORRUPTION COMMISSION 
 
 
1.  (SBU) Summary:  On February 1, President Hifikepunye 
Pohamba officially launched the Namibian Anti-Corruption 
Commission (ACC).  In his speech marking the event, 
Pohamba reiterated his distaste for corruption and urged 
the ACC to pursue all corrupt individuals "regardless of 
their status in society."  He pledged government 
protection of whistle blowers and the ACC.  Given the 
limited experience of the new ACC directors, it remains 
to be seen if the new commission will put Pohamba's 
strong words to the test.  In the ACC's favor, corruption 
in Namibia is well below the continental average.  End 
summary. 
 
The ACC: A Long Time Coming 
--------------------------- 
 
2.  (U) Born out of the 2003 Anti-Corruption Act, the 
commission's gestation period has been particularly long. 
President Pohamba's new emphasis on anti-corruption 
combined with a public outcry over multiple corruption 
scandals created the impetus to establish the commission. 
Consequently, Parliament confirmed the appointment of the 
ACC Director and Deputy Director in October 2005, which 
de facto launched the new oversight body.  Thus far, the 
ACC has focused solely on administrative setup. 
 
Pohamba's Blessing 
------------------ 
 
3.  (U) The launch ceremony on February 1 (attended by 
Ambassador and poloff) was above all an opportunity to 
gauge the tenor and force of President Pohamba's blessing 
of the commission.  He lived up to most expectations.  He 
criticized officials who joined government for the sake 
of personal enrichment and warned of the dire 
consequences to Namibia's economy and democracy if the 
country did not put an end to corruption immediately.  He 
pledged government protection for whistleblowers (such 
protections are included in the Anti-Corruption Act) and 
said it was the government's duty to protect the ACC and 
its staff as they investigate wrongdoers. 
 
4.  (U) Mincing no words, Pohamba twice repeated that the 
ACC and other relevant oversight bodies should spare no 
efforts in pursuing corrupt individuals and officials 
"regardless of their status in society."  The audience's 
loud applause to this line (the only applause during the 
speech) came as a surprise to the subdued front row of 
ministers and deputy ministers.  (Note:  Pohamba's 
emphasis on bringing the full force of the law against 
senior members of society and government is a breath of 
fresh air in a nation where it is culturally unacceptable 
to question or criticize elders.  End note.) 
 
Uncertain Reception -- Success Questionable 
------------------------------------------- 
 
5.  (SBU) Former President Sam Nujoma attended the launch 
ceremony, along with nearly all the government ministers 
and deputy ministers, plus the chief justice and other 
"founding fathers."  Nujoma's presence was noteworthy. 
During his 15-year tenure as president, the Founding 
Father of the Namibian Nation (Nujoma's new official 
title) had talked about anti-corruption, but by most 
accounts had failed to do much to halt many in his 
entourage from feeding at the trough.  Many of those same 
individuals remain in positions of authority, making the 
ACC's challenge even greater, because an investigation 
into any senior official could trigger allegations that 
the ACC is being used to either undermine or bolster 
various SWAPO factions (i.e. the pro or anti-Nujoma 
camp).  In fact, Nujoma himself was initially implicated 
in the Avid investment scandal involving a loss of almost 
5 million USD in Social Security Commission funds until 
swift SWAPO pressure quelled any further mention of his 
possible involvement. 
 
6.  (SBU) Adding to the challenge is the experience level 
of the Anti-Corruption Commission leadership.  ACC 
Director Paulus Noa, and his Deputy, Erna van der Merwe, 
are relative unknowns.  Many Namibians have told us that 
they hoped the government would appoint individuals with 
both excellent qualifications and indisputable public 
standing.  Some of our interlocutors were concerned that 
the new directors, even if they have solid backgrounds 
(Noa was the Chief Regional Magistrate for the northern 
region and van der Merwe was a chief legal drafter at the 
Ministry of Justice), their relative inexperience and low- 
 
WINDHOEK 00000079  002 OF 002 
 
 
profiles may limit their ability to take to task senior 
government officials who have benefited from corruption. 
(Comment: These low profiles may actually allow them to 
be more objective and function outside of political 
pressures. End comment.) 
 
7.  (U) Speaking briefly after the ceremony, Noa told 
Poloff that the ACC would do its utmost and that it hoped 
the USG would be able to help the ACC get off on the 
right foot.  (Note: USAID is supporting a program that 
will help train ACC staff and the Embassy will propose 
assisting the ACC with training through the International 
Law Enforcement Academy in Gabarone, Botswana.  End 
note.) 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
8.  (SBU) Pohamba's anti-corruption credentials are well 
recognized and his desire to root out graft appears 
genuine.  As Finance Director during Namibia's 
independence struggle, his vigorous oversight of the 
SWAPO purse strings earned Pohamba great respect among 
SWAPO officials with either honest or devious intentions. 
His full and categorical endorsement of the Anti- 
Corruption Commission should carry weight.  Whether it is 
enough to thrust the ACC into serious and unfettered 
investigations of high-level officials remains to be 
seen.  Fortunately for Namibia - and for the fledgling 
ACC - Namibian corruption is well below the continental 
average, which hopefully will increase the new body's 
chances of success. 
 
BARR