Parliament is strengthening its role in holding the government accountable, as parliamentary leaders renewed calls for lawmakers to put the interests of citizens ahead of politics.

Former Public Service Commission (PSC) Chairperson Salmaan Jacobs was sentenced to pay a fine of N$20,000 or serve two years' direct imprisonment after being found guilty of contravening the Anti-Corruption Act.

He appeared before the Keetmanshoop Regional Court on Friday for sentencing.

Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has assured continued visits and engagements with public entities to strengthen service delivery and gain a better understanding of their operations and the challenges they face.

Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has called for accountability and improved service delivery at the Government Stores and Government Garage in Windhoek.

Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe have reaffirmed their commitment towards strengthening cross-border anti-corruption initiatives aimed at fighting acts of dishonesty by persons entrusted with positions of authority.

A backlog of 84 outstanding Auditor General reports is set to come under parliamentary scrutiny as the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Accounts begins a five-day review workshop held at Swakopmund.

Erongo Regional Chairperson of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), Aloisus Kangulu, has cautioned that corruption continues to widen the gap between the rich and the poor, depriving ordinary Namibians of essential public services.

Kangulu was speaking at the party's high-level meeting at Usakos.

Member of the Parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources, Imms Nashinge, has called on the Namibia Industrial Development Agency (NIDA) to strengthen its operations and improve accountability.

Nashinge made the call during a recent visit by the committee to the NIDA Naute Dam Irrigation Scheme.

Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare emphasised that the implementation of the seven priorities of the eighth administration must proceed without delay. He stated that all stakeholders, including governors, must remain accountable within the framework of the law.

The Minister of Urban and Rural Development, James Sankwasa, has warned that the misuse of public funds in some regional and local authorities is weakening service delivery and slowing development.