Hunt on for new ACC bosses

OGONE TLHAGE



WINDHOEK

The Office of the Presidency has indicated that work to appoint a director general and deputy director general for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is ongoing.

The contracts of current director general Paulus Noa and his administrative assistant Erna van der Merwe come to an end next month. Noa’s contract was due to expire in December, but was extended by President Hage Geingob for a period of six months.

Both have served since the establishment of the anti-graft agency in February 2006, equating to a total of 15 years in their positions.

When asked about the likelihood of Noa and Van Der Merwe’s contracts being extended or whether a recruitment process would now ensue, presidential advisor Alfredo Hengari said: “The process has started and as you might be aware, the president is but one of the actors in the recruitment of the director general of the ACC. The National Assembly and the Office of the Prime Minister are critical agencies in the recruitment”.

According to the Office of the Prime Minister, the ACC Act would guide the recruitment and appointment of the new director general, its spokesperson Saima Shaanika said.

“The modalities are prescribed under the ACC Act. An announcement will be made once the process is finalised,” she added.

Progress

The ACC is currently at the forefront of the Fishrot probe.

Speaking to New Era last year, Noa thanked the president for his continued trust in him to continue leading the ACC, saying he and his deputy will continue to serve the public to the best of their abilities.

“For the time that we have been given, we will focus on finalising cases that are still pending and work on those that are still yet to come. We want to make sure that when we leave, we have made progress,” Noa said at the time.