Parliament warns new ACC chief against selective justice

Patience Makwele

The unanimous approval of Bryan Eiseb as the next director general of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) by the National Assembly on Friday was accompanied by an unusually united warning from lawmakers that the commission must shed perceptions of selective justice and restore public confidence by pursuing corruption without fear, favour or political interference.

While members across the political divide backed Eiseb’s appointment, the debate evolved into a broader indictment of the ACC’s record over the past two decades, with lawmakers accusing the institution of allowing politically connected corruption to go unpunished while focusing on less influential offenders.

Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) Member of Parliament Tuhafeni Vaino said Parliament’s endorsement should not be interpreted as unconditional confidence in the commission.

“We are wary of the torturous two decades of sweeping corruption under the carpet. We are wary of the net that catches the small fish while the big fish slip through,” Vaino said.