An evaluation of Namibia’s anti-corruption laws and their effectiveness: A contemporary legal perspective

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Date
2024
Journal Title
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Publisher
University of Namibia
Abstract
This study evaluated Namibia's institutional, legal, and policy frameworks as to how well they function together to fight corruption. There is no question that corruption has an impact on economic development in terms of economic efficiency and growth and hinders the equitable distribution of resources across the population, leading to an increase in income disparities and undermining the efficacy of social welfare programmes, which in turn prevents economic growth, prosperity, and the eradication of poverty. It is necessary to have strong institutional, legal, and policy frameworks to effectively tackle corruption. Namibia has created national anti-corruption structures. In terms of the Anti-Corruption Act, Act No. 8 of 2003, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), an independent agency, was established with the mandate to combat and prevent corruption in Namibia, amongst others. The legal regime on corruption in Namibia is contained in other Acts of parliament, the Prevention of Organized Crime Act, Act No.10 of 2004, and the Financial Intelligence Act, Act No.13 of 2012. However, the effectiveness of Namibia’s legislative and institutional framework in fighting corruption is still up for debate. The Anti-Corruption Act is the primary legislation, giving a wide and all-encompassing definition of corruption. Namibia has several institutions geared at preventing corruption or guaranteeing adherence to various legal frameworks in addition to the legal frameworks themselves. These institutions' contributions to the fight against corruption will ii be examined in this study. This study examined numerous innate weaknesses and gaps that may prevent Namibia from effectively tackling corruption in its final analysis. The study concludes that Namibia needs the right institutional, legal, and policy frameworks in place before it can effectively combat corruption. To combat corruption in Namibia, this study recommended that new policies be developed, existing policies be reviewed, and existing institutional and legal frameworks be strengthened
Description
A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of master of laws
Keywords
Anti-Corruption Act, Namibia, Policy frameworks, Eradication of poverty, Impact on economic development
Citation