ACC completes 2 cases in 3 months
MANZINI – The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) completed investigations on two cases in three months and handed them to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
This is contained in the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Second Quarter Report which covers the period from July 1 – September 30, 2022.
The ACC - a law enforcement institution established by the Prevention of Corruption Act of 2006 - was able to complete the two cases from 241 ongoing investigations at its disposal. TheACC had 236 investigations which were carried over from the first quarter of this financial year.
In addition to these, there were eight complaints which were processed. From the eight, one of the cases was declined for inquiry while five were converted to investigations. The remainder of two, it was reported, was referred to other agencies such as the Human Rights Commission, Home Affairs and or the police.
The report stated that the Investigation Section investigates any alleged or suspected cases of corruption, any other offences disclosed during such investigation and contraventions of any of the provisions of the fiscal and revenue laws of the country as set out in the Prevention of Corruption Act (POCA) of 2006.
Also, the ACC is tasked with the investigation of money laundering and financing of terrorism in accordance with the Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism Prevention Act of 2011 as amended.
The ACC in its report raised a challenge that it had a depreciated fleet.
“The position presented in the last reporting period is still pertaining. As much as eight vehicles are by the close of the reporting period, they are in a bad state as they are over 10 years old and fully depreciated. This has a negative impact on investigations, education and prevention. The condition of the vehicles also remains a cause for concern for the safety of the officers,” reads the report.
It was also reported that from an estimated budget of E24 140 494.62, the ACC had E10 958 335 released and they had spent E8 153 586.30 in engaging in its duties. The ACC has a three pronged legal mandate of prevention; education and investigation.
They engaged in these duties through examining practices and procedures and advise on ways of preventing corruption, educating the public and private bodies and the general public on the forms and dangers of corruption and they also receive and investigate complaints of alleged or suspected corrupt practices made against any person, and refer appropriate cases to the DPP.
In their mandate to educate, the ACC reported that during the period under the review, they were invited by the Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC) Internal Audit Department to conduct awareness to all staff of the EEC. It was said the exercise covered all regional and headquarter branches of the EEC and a total number of about 500 employees and contractors benefitted from the exercise.