| Chapter 1: | Corruption and Circumstantial Evidence |
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Principles of NACSAP are founded on prevention through simplification, demystification, and depersonalisation of the government and its programmes. The first principle—simplification of procedures—is aimed at reducing rent-seeking opportunities for corruption.
The second principle of NACSAP is enforcement, that is, to provide operational independence and effective discharge of the functions of the law enforcement agencies that are enjoined by law to curb the scourge—in this case the PCCB. In addition, the judiciary has to expeditiously dispose of corruption cases fairly and firmly to strengthen the objectives of the criminal justice system.
The third principle is public awareness, where the capacity to disseminate the rights and duties of the citizenry is emphasised. An informed citizenry is essential towards holding government accountable because that is where the role of the civil society and media becomes effective, as they play an important role in holding the state actors accountable for their action or omissions, or both. The fourth principle is institution building, where the oversight bodies are empowered adequately to discharge their functions effectively. In the case of the PCCB, the capacity to detect, investigate, and prosecute corruption cases must be strengthened and must translate the utility of circumstantial evidence to foster its capability to bring more and serious cases that can stand the evidential scrutiny of the courts of law.
These oversight bodies include parliamentary committees responsible for anticorruption and proethics measures,47 the PCCB,48 the Ethics Secretariat,49 the Commission on Human Rights and Good Governance,50 and the CAG.51 And the fifth principle is the political will that must be demonstrable by political actors to attack both perceived causes and effects of corruption at a systemic level.