SADC anti-corruption watchdog takes shape

Gothataone Moeng | Friday May 2, 2014 15:59

At a meeting in Gaborone this week, Tanki Mothae, the director of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, said member states had been pushing for SACC and had shown their commitment by signing the SADC Protocol Against Corruption in 2001.

The Gaborone meeting, attended by heads of anti-corruption agencies from SADC member states, was held to recommend which SADC organ would house the anti-corruption committee.

Lobbying for SACC to fall under the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Affairs, began after ratifying of the Protocol in 2001.

When the formation of the Committee delayed taking off, an ad-hoc forum, known as the Southern African Forum Against Corruption (SAFAC) was formed to address matters pertaining to corruption within the region and to lobby for SACC’s establishment.

SAFAC chairperson, Rosewyn Wandi said while SACC’s operationalisation was long overdue, member states were committed to the vision.

Amongst other provisions, the Protocol Against Corruption establishes SACC and endows it with objectives such as gathering and disseminating information and intelligence on corruption among member states. SACC would also help with the implementation of the protocol anti-corruption mechanisms.

“SACC’s responsibilities include providing technical assistance to state parties where necessary and providing the development of anti-corruption mechanisms at national level,” Wandi said.

Wandi said while SAFAC has been a valuable forum for experience-sharing, its impact has been limited by the fact that it is not coordinated at the SADC Secretariat level.

“I wish to state that, the implementing of the Protocol is at national level but SADC should provide the operational framework and standard. Suggestions have been made that consideration be made for SAFAC to be transformed from an informal institution to a formal organ of SADC with responsibility for implementing the protocol. The modalities of this transformation can be worked out,” Wandi said.

Meanwhile, Paulus Noa, a representative from Namibia, said the question of independence of anti-corruption agencies is not as important as the question of support for the agencies. He said without support, agencies could collapse, even if they are left to their own devices. 

Noa said in most member states, agencies are left to operate independently but need to be under the government in order to access national budget funds.