ACC chief Paulus Noa's 'healthrot' investigation faces scrutiny as his term ends
via The Namibian2 min read
Namibians are advised to view statements from Anti-Corruption Commission ACC chief Paulus Noa regarding the 'healthrot' investigation with caution. Noa, whose term concludes in June, informed The Namibian that the ACC is still investigating corruption allegations within the Ministry of Health and Social Services, stating they are "trying to connect the dots." However, the health ministry has been a focal point for corruption allegations for decades. Former health minister Bernard Haufiku provided the ACC with files detailing alleged inflated prices and supplier collusion in 2020. Despite this, the ACC continues to promise investigations. Concerns about potential corruption at the ministry persist. While acknowledging the ACC's need for thoroughness and evidence, the public has been aware of alleged corruption for years. Noa is expected to explain the delays in these investigations, as his indecision could further harm a ministry already affected by chronic corruption allegations. Last June, health minister Esperance Luvindao reported a case to the ACC, requesting an investigation into a syndicate allegedly stealing medicine from her ministry and reselling it to the government. Recently, the health ministry announced the reassignment of staff members at medical stores implicated in fraud through stock data manipulation, theft, and diversion of life-saving medicine. The ministry suggests this scam aimed to create artificial shortages to trigger emergency procurement. While the
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
The Namibian police and four farmer organizations, including the Namibia Agricultural Union NAU, the Namibia Emerging Commercial Farmers’ Union NECFU, the Namibia National Farmers’ Union NNFU, and the Previously Disadvantaged Namibians’ Farmers’ Union PDNFU, have signed a 10-year agreement to enhance efforts against stock theft and other crimes affecting farmers. The agreement, signed in Windhoek, establishes a framework for preventing, detecting, and reducing crimes, particularly stock theft. This new pact replaces a previous agreement between the police and the NAU that concluded in March 2024. Acting Inspector General Anne-Marie Nainda noted that the prior agreement improved cooperation and communication between law enforcement and the farming community through the national rural safety strategy. Nainda highlighted that crimes in rural areas, such as stock theft, illegal grazing, poaching, and infrastructure vandalism, continue to challenge farmers and the national economy. She also acknowledged the Joint Crime Prevention Forum, established in 2018 by the NAU and NECFU, for strengthening farmer-police cooperation, advising on rural safety, supporting regional initiatives, and facilitating dialogue.
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