27 Sep 2020

Government remains committed to rooting out corruption in the country and will ensure that COVID-19 pandemic is not used to prey on national coffers.  

Assistant Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security, Ms Beauty Manake said this at the code of conduct signing ceremony between Business Botswana and ABM University College in Gaborone recently.  

Ms Manake said government would engage all stakeholders including Business Botswana to eliminate corrupt practices in the society. 

Minister Manake also pledged to support the Private Sector Code of Conduct in consequence of President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s administration keenness to fight corruption.

She commended Business Botswana for pursuing and delivering the private sector code of conduct, saying expectations were that the agreement would be a guide for ethical and moral behaviour by the private sector in the fight against corruption.

She pointed out that Batswana should not allow corruption to take control in the economy, saying if tolerated, it would distort efficient allocation of limited resources.

“These limited resources would then not be used to build schools, hospitals and other facilities, but line the pockets of corrupt people. I am happy that Business Botswana is guarding against this possibility,” she said.

Again, she indicated that the fight against corruption required all Batswana from all walks of life to throw their full weight behind.

She said even though there were laws meant to address corruption, it was still important to understand the nature of corruption and fight it accordingly.

She therefore urged Business Botswana members to develop anti-corruption policies in their respective organisations which would guide employees’ behaviour within the organisation.

Further, she indicated that it was imperative for businesses to frequently devise systems, processes and procedures to detect, prevent and respond to incidences of corruption.

She hailed ABM University College for deciding to stand and be counted in the fight against corruption, saying the institution was setting a good example for others to follow.

Business Botswana deputy president, Mr Golekanye Setume,, said the fight against corruption should start with everyone.

Mr Setume said corruption interfered with basic ways of how the economy of a country operated and thus resulting in economic losses through inefficiencies and misappropriation of resources.

He urged all businesses to strive to adhere to good governance practices and standards, saying such were essential to ensure transparency in capital markets and growth of economies.

He said all government, private sector and key corporate stakeholders must lead by example in the fight against corruption by ensuring that codes of conduct were mandatory to all employees. Ends