Former Auditor-General, Daniel Yao Domelevo has called for the strict enforcement of administrative sanctions as a means to curb corruption within public service.
In a recent interview, he emphasised that robust administrative sanctions serve as a clear signal to all public workers to avoid engaging in corrupt practices.
Domelevo highlighted the importance of immediate action against public servants suspected of corrupt activities.
He proposed that any such individual should be suspended or interdicted without delay, pending an investigation into the allegations.
He asserted that if the person is found not guilty after the investigation, they should be reinstated and compensated for any salary arrears. Conversely, if guilt is established, the individual would face stringent sanctions.
“One of the things we are not talking about much is the fact that if the condition of all public servants requires that anytime you are found complicit in doing something wrong or any malpractices, the first thing we do is to suspend you or interdict you and then you are investigated. If after the investigation it is found that you are not complicit, you just go back to your job, and that will serve as a signal to all public servants.”
He reiterated that administrative sanctions would send a clear message to public servants that corruption is not acceptable.
“Administration sanctions will serve as a signal to all public servants to know that corruption is not business as usual,” he stated.
Domelevo urged that while Parliament continues its debates and the Attorney General conducts investigations, administrative sanctions should take precedence, as they represent a swift and effective method to demonstrate that such behaviour will not be tolerated in public service.
Source: Vanessa Elizabeth Nkum
