30 Jul 2014

The DCEC director, Ms Rose Seretse says the fight against corruption is a journey not an event therefore they need to occasionally meet and reflect.

Speaking during a workshop hosted by Department of Road and Safety (DRTS) and DCEC in Gaborone on July 29, Ms Seretse said DCEC could not fight corruption alone, hence they needed a helping hand from other stakeholders.

She said delay in provision of services resulted in people becoming impatient and resorting to taking short cuts like doing things through back doors.

She said when officers realised that they were not being constantly checked and monitored or supervised, they took advantage of that and committed acts of corruption. She explained that the objective of the workshop was meant to recognise the harm that arose from corruption and unethical conduct as well as come up with mitigating factors.

Ms Seretse cautioned participants that it was an offence to accept bribes or gifts in order to get services effectively. She warned that effects of getting bribes could impoverish the nation.

“We are all road users and any corruption taking place at DRTS affects us all through accidents by people who obtained licenses through corrupt means,” she said.

Ms Seretse said she believed that the corruption prevention committees consisted of honest, strong and experienced people who intended to nip corruption and unethical behaviour.

She revealed that DCEC had 122 DRTS cases under investigation, 17 cases at DPP, three were already at court and a single case that involved 303 foreign licenses which were unlawfully converted to Botswana driving Licenses.

She said also cited one case that consist of 57 fraudulently obtained road worthiness certificates whereby vehicles were issued such certificates without being tested. She commended DRTS for its commitment to fighting corruption by taking part in the workshop also noting that it is not easy to gather people from one department in such a manner. ENDS