Corruption in Namibia
[1][7] Colonizers seized land from indigenous people, often through forced removals, displacement, and violence, leading to significant dispossession and disenfranchisement.
German colonial officials, such as Governor Heinrich Göring, implemented policies aimed at taking control of land from indigenous people.
[4] Apartheid policies institutionalized discrimination, with whites holding power and wealth, while blacks were marginalized and excluded from economic opportunities.
[8] Corruption was rampant during this period, with officials embezzling funds meant for development projects and accepting bribes from companies seeking favors.
Nepotism and cronyism have also led to the marginalization of qualified individuals and the perpetuation of a patronage system, where loyalty to the ruling party is rewarded with positions of power and influence.
[12] During apartheid, the South African government and its agents in Namibia used corruption to suppress resistance from anti-apartheid activists and organizations.
This included bribing officials to turn a blind eye to human rights abuses, embezzling funds meant for development projects to finance propaganda campaigns and using state resources to intimidate and silence opponents.
After independence in 1990, corruption continued to be used to suppress resistance, with the ruling SWAPO party accused of using state resources to silence opposition voices.
This included appointing loyalists to key positions, awarding government contracts to party-linked businesses, and using state media to propagate party propaganda.
Examples of individuals involved in corruption associated with suppression of resistance include former President Sam Nujoma, who was accused of using state resources to silence opposition voices and intimidate critics.
Former Minister of Home Affairs, Jerry Ekandjo, was implicated in a corruption scandal involving the misuse of government funds to finance party political activities.
During apartheid, the South African government and its agents in Namibia used corruption to entrench economic inequality, enriching white elites while impoverishing black Namibians.
This included awarding government contracts to party-linked businesses, appointing loyalists to key positions in state-owned enterprises, and using state resources to finance lavish lifestyles for the elite.
[17][18][15] Examples of individuals involved in corruption associated with economic inequality include former President Hifikepunye Pohamba, who was accused of using state resources to enrich himself and his members.
The "Esaugate scandal" of 2020, in which former Minister of Fisheries, Bernhard Esau, was accused of corruptly awarding fishing quotas to companies linked to himself and other ruling party officials.
This included the forced removal of indigenous people from their land, the suppression of traditional languages and customs, and the destruction of cultural artifacts and historical sites.
Former Director of the Namibia National Museum, Pauline Mbundu, was accused of corruptly selling cultural artifacts to private collectors.
Incidents of corruption associated with cultural destruction include the controversial "Heroes' Acre" monument, built in 2002 to honor Namibia's independence struggle.
Critics accused the government of using state resources to promote a partisan version of history and erase the cultural heritage of marginalized communities.
In the 1990s, the "Koevoet scandal" involved high-ranking government officials and police officers embezzling funds meant for development projects.
[26][29][30] Resistance from whistleblowers, activists, and ordinary citizens has been crucial, with individuals risking personal safety and livelihoods to expose corruption and wrongdoing.
Notable individuals and organizations include journalist and editor Gwen Lister, civil society leader Pauline Mbundu, whistleblower Johannes Stefansson, and the Namibia Transparency and Accountability Forum.
The agencies work together to investigate suspicious transactions, freeze and seize assets linked to money laundering and corruption, prosecute offenders, and conduct public awareness campaigns.
[32] Political change in Namibia has led to the establishment of the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Financial Intelligence Centre, the enactment of the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism Regulations, the ratification of international conventions against corruption and money laundering, and the implementation of measures to increase transparency and accountability in government and public institutions.
[32] While Namibia has made significant progress in combating corruption and money laundering, continued efforts are needed to address the evolving nature of these crimes.
