On the 25th June 2026, Radio 88.1 – The People’s Radio, had the opportunity to speak with the Anti-Corruption Commission’s Executive Director – Mele Fakatouato Mangisi in discussing the core functions of the Anti-Corruption Commission in light of the change of government into a democratic government since 2010. This discussion is intended for the general public’s awareness and knowledge of the core functions of the ACC and assisting the people’s understanding of the meaning of this law.
In discussing the core functions of the ACC, Executive Director Mele Mangisi stated that this new structure means that Tonga is now working with an independent legal body aiming at strengthening honest conduct, accountability, transparency and the rule of law. ACC is not only investigating misconduct but also preventing dishonest conducts, educating the public, advising government sectors and strengthening the systems that protects the people’s property and trust. The priorities for the annual budget term 2026-2027 is strengthening the operational capacity of the commissioner, strengthening legal pathways and investigations, protecting whistleblowers, increase the efforts of preventing corruption within the Government Ministries and Agencies and the continuance of awareness program and going out to people about the proper and safe procedures of lodging a complaint.
When asked if their budget allocation for 2026-2027 was enough for the operation of this office, Mele Mangisi responded that it was enough and that they are grateful for the government’s approval of their requested budget.
The Whistleblower Protection Act was enacted in 2025, and Mele was asked if this act was in conflict in any way with the ACC’s operations or does it support what they? Mele responded that the operation of the ACC is clearly guided by the law. The commissioner can accept complain from anyone or any concern brought in from any of the government ministries or agencies. The commissioner can also look into anything that appears to involve any corruption in any government ministries or agencies or employees or anyone who appears to affect the honest and without prejudice conducting of government responsibilities. The commissioner employs the law equally and independently when assessing any matters brought in, in accordance to the legal definition of corruption, prioritizing serious and systematic issues that are important to the public and making sure that investigations are conducted in a neutral, without prejudice, independent manner and complies with the law.
When asked about the ACC’s procedures for lodging a complain where this office will count it as an official complain to attend to, Mele Mangisi stated that they do have a procedure if there appears to be evidence of corruption or a crime-related, the ACC follows the legal processes of Tonga. ACC collects and assesses evidence, prepare the results of the investigations and can refer the case to the proper authority. They do have a form that has to be completed regarding a complain and if there is a need for a legal prosecution, these matters are processed through the proper prosecuting procedures including the office of the Attorney General and related legal partnering departments according to the constitution and legal framework of Tonga. This system ensures that evidence are acquired through legal and respectful means of the different manner of investigation, charging and judgement.
In one of the press-conference with the former government, it was mentioned that the complains lodged in from the government to ACC office has reach approximately 70 complains. ACC was unable to comment on the existing complains but Mangisi believed that there are over 30 complains in the financial year 2024 – 2025. It was clear that majority of these complains were in actual under the authority of other ministries, like the Ombudsman. The ACC’s working procedure is that if a complain comes in, that is under the authority of another government ministry, they refer these cases to them.
In terms of who can make a complain, Mele Mangisi affirmed that anyone can make a complain, irrespective of civil servant or not.
The investigation department is one of the essential branches of the ACC. Previously they had 5 police officers that were employed but had resigned. Since the ACC is still new, the crucial resource are employees with experience, secured systems, clear protocols and procedures and close working partnerships. Priorities of the 2026-2027 corporate plan are strengthening the investigation capacity, legal and prevention of corruption, protection of whistleblowers, internal governance, supporting organization service. This includes securing investigators, employees who has been trained on legal confidentiality of cases and standard operating procedures and continuance development of staff.
ACC conducts their own investigations and should the commissioner deems the evidence to be sufficient for prosecution then the case will be referred to the Attorney General’s office. The charges are issued by ACC and the Attorney General is the body that goes to court with the cases. Between 2024 – 2026 there were 2 cases that has gone to court. One case was a civil charge and currently there is a criminal charge that is still on-going. The criminal charged case is the former government minister and the civil case was the Tonga National Reserve Bank vs Tonga Development Bank.
Fiji today runs its ACC with full authority in combating corruption where they conduct the prosecutions. And we see that they are quite active regardless if it is a former PM, they seize whoever it is. As it stands for the future, Mele Mangisi stated that Tonga’s ACC plans to propose to the government that the ACC be given the authority to charge and prosecute. ACC build the public’s trust by standing independently, working in compliance to the law, clear communication, enforcing systems that derives results. Being independent means that the commissioner is transparent, decisions are based on the law, evidences and the overall wellbeing of the public. Working responsibly refers to the reconciling that can be carried out, reliable methods of responding to the complains, investigative methods that are strong and confidential and preventative measures that supports the development of civil servants. Therefore, all of these supports ACC’s work plan for the year to come.
As part of the ACC’s commitment, Mele Mangisi wanted to assure the public, that the ACC stands strong and committed to accomplishing its responsibilities in accordance to the law. Performance is based on independence and integrity, confidentiality, accountability and the common good. As mentioned earlier, the commissioner operates both in a proactive and responsive approach to any incident that have occurred. In the proactive approach, we will continue to strengthen the prevention of corruption, educating the public, assessing risks levels, strengthening integrity systems within organizations and partners and also outreach programs to all Tongans so as to raise awareness and prevent risks of corruption before being affected by corruption.
The Special Audit Report of 2025 which was tabled and accepted by parliament in 2025, contains a lot of discrepancies and projects spending that was not sanctioned by government. It showed how a lot of government ministries failed to comply with the legal procurement requirements. It presented ministries having no records. ACC was asked if they are able to work on this report without any submitting an official complaint from an actual person. Mangisi says that it is possible but she cannot confirm if such a complaint has been lodged but the ACC cannot carry out the responsibility of charging on its own. ACC is committed to work in partnership with other departments, with the community and the society. However, if someone from the public or government sectors does file in a complain regarding the Special Audit Report of 2025, ACC will certainly look into it.
Mele Mangisi clarified that several cases that they had received were later had to be referred to the Ombudsman. Ombudsman deals with administrative matters while ACC deals with criminal matters. At present, there is no unit within the ACC where a complainant can submit an appeal on a decision made by ACC, other then the court of appeals.
She also emphasized that the key to any complain reaching the courts are based on evidences that their investigators are able to find. Should the evidences turn out to be insufficient then they will conclude and close the case within their office. Cases will only be transferred to the Attorney General’s office upon sufficient evidence.
