Namibia clamps down on corruption

Namibian officials on Tuesday introduced the country's first-ever bill targeting corruption in the government and private sectors, Sapa-AP reported. The bill would establish a commission to investigate corruption in Namibia and offences outside the country connected to Namibians and Namibian institutions, the report said. Justice Minister Ngarikutuke Tjiriange was quoted as saying that under the proposed legislation, the president would appoint the director and deputy director of the commission for five-year terms. Neither would be allowed to hold public office or be involved in politics, he said while introducing the bill in parliament. According to the report, the commission would be able to search businesses and private homes - if business was conducted there - without a warrant in exceptional cases. It could also arrest people, even if they were only suspected of planning acts of corruption, the report said. In addition, the law would enable investigators to check assets, bank accounts, financial transactions and safe-deposit boxes of suspects. Anyone not complying with such a request, would face a fine of US $5 700 or three years in prison. People found guilty of corruption would face fines of up to US $57 000 or 25 years in prison.