18 MAY 2018
NAMIB TIMES
5
ACC marches onwards despite many challenges Theft at the municipal bungalows at Swakopmund and a Walvis Bay company which used forged pre-approval documents for fishing rights to swindle someone out of more than N$1 million in cash are part of 85 cases handled in the 2017/18 financial year by the Anti-Corruption Commission in Erongo. Of these 85 cases, a total of 23 are currently heard in criminal courts, 56 are ongoing investigations and six new cases were reported during this mentioned financial year. These statistics were revealed this week at the ACC’s annual media information day, held at the Governor’s office in Swakopmund. The ACC’s senior investigation officer for Erongo, Frieda Kanyama presented the information. Despite the successes in investigating cases of corruption and bringing it before criminal courts, Kanyama admitted this week also there are steep challenges for the ACC in Erongo. These challenges include a shortage of personnel, as the Erongo office currently only has four investigators and the number of corruption cases reported each year are on the rise. Another major challenge, she explained is the fact that there remains a misunderstanding among members of the public what conduct constitutes corruption, what conduct is ordinary criminal cases that can be investigated by the Police or even cases, such as labour cases, which can only be handled by the line authorities like the Ministry of Labour. A number of the cases reported and investigated during the 2017/18 year have been referred to various agencies like the Police, certain Government Ministries, the Ombudsman and even to civil courts, as the merits of the cases cannot be prosecuted under the Anti-Corruption Act. Some of the other cases under investigation include irregularities at the Usakos town council and also an investigation into possible fraudulent administrative processes that allowed a Chinese company to export wood from a protected tree species through the port of Walvis Bay that originated in either Zambia or the Democratic Republic of Congo. The wood has been seized by the port authorities until the ACC completes its investigation.
Now in its 7th year of existence, the internship program of Kraatz Marine – a subsidiary of the Ohlthaver & List (O&L) Group – is host to 11 more Namibian students from the Namibia Institute of Mining and Technology (NIMT), bringing the total of participants to 80 since inception. Over the next six months, the 11 NIMT students will acquire relevant practical skills in Boiler Making & Welding, as well as Fitting & Turning. Kraatz Human Capital Manager, Roberto January: “Regardless of the challenging economic times, we remain committed to contributing to skills development and growth of the Namibian economy. Established seven years ago, the Kraatz Internship Program has played a critical part in enriching participants with the necessary skills and experience required for the labor market. This
speaks directly to the O&L Group purpose 'Creating a future, enhancing life' which Kraatz is very passionate about. The program enables students to do their job attachment to gain practical experience in preparation for the job market. The students receive on-thejob training and mentoring from Master Craftsmen with years of experience in the Industrial, Marine and Off-
shore industry.” O&L Group Director: Human Capital, Berthold Mukuahima: “Kraatz' internship program has proven to be a great success over the past years. The O&L Group is extremely proud of the commitment of Kraatz management and employees
to keep this program alive and through it contribute to ongoing skills development which is absolutely commendable.” The Kraatz Internship Program offers job attachment not only to students in their 3rd levels but gives opportunity to level 1 students
as well. The level 3 students stay with the company for a total of 12 months, which is required by NIMT to qualify or trade as level 4. Students will be rotated to give them the exposure within the Marine & Offshore and Industrial Divisions respectively.