08 Jul 2021

Members of Parliament have reacted to a proposal to amend the Declaration of Assets and Liabilities Act with mixed views.

The MPs were debating the Declaration of Assets and Liabilities (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2020 (Bill No. 25 of 2020) which Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Kabo Morwaeng presented on Wednesday.

Contributing to the debate, Vice President Mr Slumber Tsogwane welcomed the proposed amendment, saying it was a  powerful instrument against corruption. 

He said it would also help in detection of illicit enrichment and conflicts of interests.

Mr Tsogwane said the requirement for public officials to disclose their income, assets and liabilities served the public interest in that it would help root out corruption, which was a threat to national security besides undermining the well-being of citizens.

Mr Tsogwane, who is also Boteti West legislator, said the bill underpinned President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s determination and leadership in the fight against corruption.

“President Masisi has on several occasions showed his disdain for corruption because it remains one of the evils that stand in Botswana’s way to achieve notable economic success if left unchecked. 

Corruption has the potential to destroy the country’s economy,” he said.

Prevention of corruption and exposing unexplained wealth of officials, the VP said was a legitimate act of serving the public interests. 

He added that the bill was, therefore, expected to help curb political patronage and collusion with senior government officials that sought to milk the country’s economy.

Member of Parliament for Lobatse, Dr Thapelo Matsheka applauded the Minister for tabling the bill, highlighting that it was long overdue and buttressed government efforts to root out corruption. 

He noted that the current regime was willing to root out corruption, particularly among senior government officials and politicians.

Dr Matsheka also expressed delight that government was amenable to ethical conduct and accountability in the conduct of accounting officers. 

He further called for full capacitation of agencies assigned with the task of monitoring asset declarations.

MP for Kgalagadi North, Ms Talita Monnakgotla also welcomed the amendments, but called for the declaration to be extended to business people who used political contacts to secure government procurement contracts often as a way of reciprocating favours or benefits.

Also contributing to the debate, Mogoditshane legislator, Mr Tumiso Rakgare applauded government for introducing laws that required high ranking government officials and politicians to declare their assets and incomes before or after assuming public office. 

He said such measures would improve investor confidence and enhance transparency and accountability.

Mr Rakgare took a swipe at opposition MPs who expressed skepticism at the bill under the pretext that DCEC was not independent enough to be the custodian of declarations. 

Instead, he argued that DCEC would be well capacitated to effectively execute its roles.

For his part, Member of Parliament for Selebi Phikwe West, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse said even though opposition parties supported the ‘principle’ of declaration of assets and liabilities, the bill would not achieve its intended objective if custodians of the declarations were not independent.

Mr Keorapetse expressed doubt that the proposed legislation would serve any purpose if the DCEC remained hamstrung without its own budget besides adequate resources.

Although he supported the amendments, Palapye legislator, Mr Onneetse Ramogapi pleaded with government to detach DCEC from the Office of the President and free it from the ‘claws’ of the executive. 

Mr Ramogapi said it was important to have more independent oversight institutions with the ability to execute their duties delicately without undue hindrance from the Office of the President.

He said the DCEC should be well capacitated to investigate government elites and those aligned with the ruling party without fear of victimisation.

Member of Parliament for Sefhare/Ramokgonami, Dr Kesitegile Gobotswang protested that the Bill would not serve its intended purpose if the declared assets were not made public.

 

He said there was need to align the Declaration of Assets and Liability Act with freedom of information and whistle-blowing laws to promote transparency and protection of informants. ENDS