We must buck down and do it More rot uncovered. In this week, around 15 nurses, two accountants and a doctor were nabbed in Otjozondjupa in connection with fraud in the region of N$8 million. They are all employed at the health ministry. Now we hear that there is an official at the coast who is accused of taking bribes to extend the work permits of foreigners in Namibia.And then we are not even referring to the NSFAF debacle with files missing, stolen or simply removed for payment.
Attend the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court on a daily basis and look at the court roll. The Anti-Corruption Commission is busy… it is just that the media does not report on the small fish.
But corruption is endemic in this country. As endemic as foot-and-mouth disease.
Why does it flourish? Certainly human greed is a strong determinant but that is not the main reason. There is no real control of state-run entities or parastatals. There is no check-list, there is no discipline and nobody is looking to see what you are doing.
No, civil servants come and go as they please. They do private work in work hours. They do as they please. The boss is not checking because he, or she, is also busy with private business, or shopping, as the case may be.
In private corporations, there is control, accountability and a system where missing monies, documents and the like, are quickly traced. But that is because the boards, bosses and owners care. It is after all, their money.
State-run entities are no different. In fact, financial control and care of the assets becomes even more critical because one is working with public funds and let’s face it, it is not like the government is rolling in it.
Accountability is critical. If employees are checked, if systems are in place, then they will not steal to the level they are stealing now. One will always have corruption but a lackadaisical management style leads to the levels we are seeing in our little country today.
Buckle down and take control of your departments. And ensure consequences when rules are broken.