19 Sep 2016

Public service employees in the Ministry of Agriculture have been urged to guard against acts of corruption. 

The call was made by the South East district regional  district agricultural officer, Mr Lepodisi Telekelo during the region’s anti- corruption workshop in Otse on September 16.

He said government has committed itself to do away with corruption; thus he urged public officers to shun corruption.

Mr Telekelo said corruption takes place within offices and it involves two or more people.

Therefore, he said public officers play crucial role to facilitate corrupt practices. 

He said within the ministry, there were areas which could attract corruption; hence there is the  need to  sensitise  the officers about corruption in their work place.

Corruption, he said has lead to the collapse of some economies around the world.

Mr Telekelo said government has come up with a corruption policy document to fight corruption.

He said as the country celebrates 50 years of independence, there was need to introspect and do away with bad habits such as corruption, which could reverse the country’s gains.

Another speaker, sub inspector Barati Sannoware of Otse Police Post said corruption was a bad practise as only few  community members benefit.

She said mostly only the poor were affected by the practise as they do not have money to bribe public officers. 

Ms Sannowane said corruption in the work place include stealing,  conniving with suppliers, bribe and favours within work place.

She said corruption could be fought through transferring officers to ensure that they did not stay in one place for a long time, sensitising  officers and the sensitising public. ENDS