03 Feb 2020

As a way of curbing corruption, government will put in place stringent measures of tax collection.

The Vice President Mr Slumber Tsogwane told residents of Mokoboxane and Mopipi kgotla meetings recently, that tax collection should be intensified  saying those evading tax would face the wrath of the law.

He said combating corruption was crucial because if left unchecked, it would collapse the economy and thwart government’s efforts of growing the economy.

The aim, he said, was to ensure efficiencies, ensuring that government projects were completed on time and according to schedule. He stated that opportunity costs such as cost-over-runs affected projects and the economy.

Mr Tsogwane further stated that monitoring and evaluation of all government projects would be done on a regular basis to ensure compliance to the law.

The vice president expressed worry over the high prices charged by businesses to government, something he said was tantamount to corruption.

Botswana, he said, had been listed as the second least corrupt country, urging Batswana to support government efforts in uprooting corruption.

He said the Asset and Liabilities Bill had been passed by Parliament and its implementation would start on February 23.

Furthermore, Mr Tsogwane said money laundering was one area identified as a loophole saying auditing would be done to establish if profits were made in a proper manner.

Moreover, Mr Tsogwane said the Financial Intelligence Agency had been established to address financial crime and money laundering among others. Meanwhile the Village Development Committee Chairperson in Mopipi Mr Unobo Othusitse decried police post satellite which its ground breaking had since been done but had not materialized to date.

Mr Othusitse also complained about the clinic building saying it had not kick started, adding that there was shortage of staff at Mopipi 24 hour clinic.

He expressed concern over lack of accommodation for public servants.

In Mokobaxane VDC Secretary complained of shortage of water and requested kgotla shelters for all the wards. ENDS