29 Jun 2016

Since the formation of Ant-Corruption Units (ACUs) in 2010, the Directorate on Crime and Economic Crime (DCEC) has increased visibility in all ministries and departments as evidenced by growth in the number of ACUs.

Officially launching the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) Operational Guidelines on Conducting Transaction Monitoring and Preliminary Inquiries booklets at Avani Gaborone Hotel June 29, Industrial Court Judge Justice Annah Mathiba said the number has since grown from two ACUs in 2010/2011 to 12 currently.

In addition, she noted with pride that staff members are solely responsible for ACU work, as opposed to ‘part time engagement’ of officers from other divisions within the ministry, as was the case in the previous years.

She noted that the growth of ACUs in number as well as the increased number of ACU staff membership has contributed immensely to the anti-corruption strategy, post 2010.

In addition, Judge Mathiba noted that the establishment of ACUs in ‘high risk ministries’ has clearly enhanced DCEC mainstreaming efforts and has particularly complemented its corruption prevention efforts.

The anti-corruption pioneer further told the gathering that since formation, ACUs has contributed formidably particularly from the corruption prevention perspective where the DCEC witnessed an increase in the number and quality of anti-corruption work specifically across the public sector.

She therefore said ministries are able to assert their positions by taking a lead and initiating projects that contribute to the maintenance of their integrity systems.  

Meanwhile, she acknowledged that 2015/2016 records show that ACUs have registered a total of 776 allegations of corruptions related activities and have conducted more than 70 Transactional Monitoring exercises in the same period.

In her welcome remarks, the director general of DCEC, Ms Rose Seretse said initially the fight against corruption was left to the DCEC, but over time this daunting work has been spread across the ministries.  

Ms Seretse recalled that when strategies to fight corruption and establish this graft busting agency were first formulated some people were doubting whether there would be any meaningful achievements, but  through hard work and dedicated men who were taken from other institutions like police, it eventually bore fruits.

She therefore paid tribute to their relentless work which they continue to render with the sole aim of achieving a nation free of corruption. She also praised those who undertook the work to produce the two booklets. Ends