Namibia’s President Hage Geingob has pledged to intensify the fight against corruption and gender-based violence in the year 2020 as he strives to improve citizens welfares.
President Geingob made the pledge in his remarks to usher in the New Year.
“The Government commits to intensifying the fight against poverty, and specifically the fight against corruption. Our commitment to transparency and the trust we place in our processes, systems and institutions, should permit us to allow accused persons implicated in acts of wrongdoing to be tried under the due process of the law,” he said.
“Let us take a resolution to eradicate the disease of Gender Based Violence from our society during the year 2020. We should take the collective decision to create a Namibian society, which is tolerant to women and children,” the president added.
The pledge to fight graft in the Southern African country comes as six Namibian officials and businessmen suspected of involvement in a bribery and money-laundering scheme are set to remain in custody until February 20, after a court ordered last month that they remain in detention.
The six include former Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources Bernhard Esau and former Minister of Justice Sacky Shanghala, who were accused of corruption, fraud and tax evasion.
President Geingob’s latest anti-corruption message echoes another pledge made in December, when he said his government would redouble efforts to promote greater accountability and transparency across all sectors.
(With input from Namibian Presidency & Al Jazeera)
