23 Sep 2014

Corrupt practices do not only undermine moral values but also distort markets and erode public confidence in the rule of law and processes of governance.

The Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Gaotlhaetse Matlhabaphiri said this when giving a keynote address at the launch of the Kweneng District whistle blowing policy at Tlotlo Conference Centre in Mogoditshane.

Mr Matlhabaphiri said the policy would ensure accountability and transparency within the council while motivating employees to attain best practices in their service delivery.

He praised the Kweneng Council for the initiative geared towards addressing the risk of corrupt practices within the council. “This is a tangible corporate governance initiative that shall promote greater transparency,” he said. 

The minister said the tool was a simple but strong deterrent against maladministration and corruption. He added that it would help promote a culture of honesty and integrity not only within the council but also in the community. 

The need for a whistle blowing initiative was recognised by the full council sometime in 2012, which called for a mechanism to provide guidance and assure accountability by stakeholders towards the delivery of services.

This initiative, he said, would raise public confidence in institutions and enable people to report corruption cases without fear of victimisation, discrimination and harassment. 

He warned against abuse of the policy advising that it should be given the seriousness it deserves by reporting relevant issues instead of using it as a query service line or a platform to settle conflicts. 

“I have every reason to believe that this launch should inspire other local authorities to as well tackle this issue head-on and create a corrupt free society,” he said.

For his part, the Directorate of Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC), director general, Ms Rose Seretse described corruption as a very complex crime to investigate, adding that it was imperative to have conducive and enabling legal environment within which to tackle it.

Ms Seretse welcomed the initiative, adding that it would help guard against the appalling conduct of certain individuals and root out corrupt practices common in district councils. 

She said the 2010 study carried by DCEC in KDC revealed a number of irregularities among others, deliberate deviation from procurement plans, repeated suppliers dominating council, inconsistency in application of rules. 

The DCEC director general said unless internal controls were strengthened, individuals would continue to take advantage, adding that some people were not born corrupt but might be influenced by opportunities. ENDS