The NGO, in a "public letter against corruption in the Ministry of Finance", released this Thursday, expressed "indignation at the scale of corruption in the General Tax Administration [AGT] and the impunity and immorality that is recorded in the Ministry of Finance", reflected in the recent reappointment of the AGT administration.
For the NGO that defends and promotes human rights, the current management team of AGT, an agency overseen by the Ministry of Finance, "failed in its responsibility, allowing the diversion of more than seven billion kwanzas from taxpayers".
"We understand that the monstrosity of corruption in a manner never seen before in public administration is increasingly opening up windows of obstacles so that changes can be promoted," says the letter, which also advocates reforms that change the political and legal system, "closing the loopholes that allow corruption through which the corrupt achieve impunity."
Senior AGT officials have been arrested in recent months for alleged involvement in a fraudulent Value Added Tax (VAT) refund scheme that embezzled seven billion kwanzas.
At the end of February, the Finance Minister apologized to Angolan taxpayers and citizens for the harmful acts committed by public managers, guaranteeing that those responsible will be held accountable and that the Government remains "relentless" in its fight against corruption.
"We will continue working to strengthen our institutions internally and detect these practices as quickly as possible, also by improving the morale of public agents. We intend to continue reporting all irregular practices as a sign that the executive remains relentless against acts of corruption and embezzlement," Vera Daves assured the National Assembly.
The government recently reappointed the chairman of the board of directors of AGT, José Leiria, and appointed three new directors to that body, according to a ministerial order of March 10, cited by the Angolan press.
This Thursday, the association also asked the President, João Lourenço, and the National Assembly to promote the necessary structural changes to prevent and repress corruption, as well as civil and criminal liability for officials involved in the misappropriation of AGT funds.
The NGO also urged the president to dismiss the Finance Minister and the entire AGT team, allegedly implicated in the misappropriation of funds from the public institution, in "defense of public morality."
