10 Dec 2020

Botswana continues to maintain her position as one of the least corrupt countries in the continent, according to the annual ratings of Transparency International.

Speaking at the UN International Anti-Corruption Day commemoration in Palapye on December 9, Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Dumezweni Mthimkhulu said this had undoubtedly been achieved through President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s stewardship and commitment to good governance as well as zero tolerance to corruption.

He said corruption was the anti-climax of development, therefore by uniting against corruption the country would be uniting for development, peace and security.

Mr Mthimkhulu said corruption remained a ticking bomb in all economies of the world and widened the gap between the rich and the poor while its effects often lived on for posterity. 

The UN resident coordinator, Mr Zia Choudhury said there was need to strengthen the global fight against corruption. 

He said to support the international community’s efforts to address corruption challenges at global, regional and national levels, the UN system had developed a common position on corruption, reflecting a common vision for UN support to member states and as a contribution to the 2021 UN General Assembly Special Session on corruption.

“There is a need to create more robust systems for accountability, transparency and integrity without delay and hold leaders in all sectors to account,” Mr Choudhury said. 

He noted that corruption was widely considered one of the greatest impediments to sustainable development in African countries. 

Corruption also hinders macro-economic growth by weakening governance structures and diluting the positive effects of investments, he said.

Mr Choudhury said at the micro level, corruption could trap the poorest who were least likely to have alternatives to state provision of services in a downward spiral. 

He urged the country’s leadership to be transparent and accountable as well as to use the tools provided by the UN Convention against Corruption as well as any other means suited to Botswana’s context.

Kgosi Martha Lebang of Palapye said the fight against corruption was one of the major priorities of Government. 

She said corruption and economic crime in both the public and private sector had a detrimental effect on government’s effort to deliver effective services to the people.

“As Tribal Administration we assure you of our full support in implementing all protocols and policies at our disposal to combat corruption”, she said. Ends