Individuals who offer bribes to compromise with public officials face 12-25 years of imprisonment

Private Individuals found guilty of offering bribes to compromise public officials could be jailed between 12 and 25 years without the option of a fine.

This is according to the new addition to the Criminal Offences Amendment Bill currently at the office of the Attorney General.

The move, according to proponents of the Bill, is to deal with private sector corruption but three years after its formulation, the bill has yet to be laid in parliament.

Speaking to JoyNews, the Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Joseph Whittal explained the reason for the amendment.

“When you are in the private sector either as a worker, contractor, an official who works in commerce, administration among others you should be able to be held accountable in respect of what you do in the private sector,” he said.

The intended punishment is very punitive because there is no option of a fine, you have 12 years minimum imprisonment if you are convicted of that offense and 25 years for public officers. This is a novelty so that the private sector will know that if you joke with trying to bribe people - this awaits you,” he added.

But Mr. Whittal is unhappy government is dragging its feet on the document.

"...For about three years now total silence on what is happening on the bill. I want to believe that the AG has got a lot on his hands so we need to remind him."

A source at the Attorney General's office told Joynews the Bill is before cabinet for approval before it can be laid in parliament for consideration.

Source: myjoyonline