8th February 2025
Make a Donation

Public grill anti-graft agency over failure to prosecute corrupt officials

Author: Emmanuel J. Akile | Published: January 17, 2025

Gavel And Handcuffs On The Law Book Over The Wooden Table Background

Some citizens have criticized the South Sudan Anti-Corruption Commission for allegedly doing little to execute its mandate, saying the body has never held to account public officials suspected to be involved in corruption.

The Anti-Corruption Commission is a government entity tasked with a vital role of fighting corruption and promote good governance in the country especially among constitutional post holders.

Last year, the commission’s leadership was kicked out of a temporary office by the landlord due to the accumulated unpaid rent.

Its officials said the eviction heavily affected their operations as they are currently working from their homes.

On Wednesday, a civil society organization Integrity South Sudan called for the completion of the unfinished construction of Commission headquarters in Juba.

The project initially supported by World Bank and undertaken by a local construction company has stalled since 2012.

However, members of the public said on Friday the agency is not independent and has failed to publicize names of corrupt officials in the government for years.

Some added that the oversight body does not even deserve to have an office because it is doing nothing, while others said they were surprised to learn that there is Anti-Corruption Commission in existence in the country.

“The Anti-Commission would not have an office because they are not working, if they are working there would be penalties against corrupt officials,” said David Magok from Wau.

“The commission is toothless and nodding nothing. Why can we hear one day that one suspected corrupt official has been taken to court? The whole of 2024 civil servants did not receive their arrears and there is no any statement from the commission questioning the government.”

On his part, Deng Santo, another resident of Wau said the anti-graft body should be dissolved because it is not doing anything.

“They are talking about their office and yet government employees are not receiving their salary, teachers, lecturers, doctors have not received salary for months, they are part of those who took this country backward.”

Further, one Suleiman from Juba claims there is rampant corruption in the country, adding that it is unfortunate that the body does not have its own office.

“The problem is that this commission is not independent like other developed countries which are democratic.”

South Sudan was ranked the second most corrupt country in the world along with Syria and Venezuela as Somalia topped the list, according to Transparency International’s 2023 corruption index which classes 180 countries and territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption.

The country has remained in that position for the last two years, after beating Somalia as the most corrupt in 2021.

The Chief Justice of South Sudan Judiciary Chan Reech Madut acknowledged in December 2024 that no institution in the country is free from corruption as the country marked International Anti-Corruption Day.

Meanwhile, the Chairperson of South Sudan Anti-Corruption Commission said his agency’s fight against corruption is being frustrated by a lack of funding and the continued protection of corrupt officials from prosecution.

 

Support Eye Radio, the first independent radio broadcaster of news, information & entertainment in South Sudan.

Make a monthly or a one off contribution.