03 Nov 2021

Whistleblowing has been described as an effective tool in curbing crime and corruption as well as accountability promotion. 

Officially opening a national workshop on whistleblower protection in Gaborone Tuesday, Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Kabo Morwaeng said corruption could not be curbed unless there was reliable disclosure about its occurrence. 

Therefore whistleblowers remained a key component of progressive governance as espoused in Vision 2036, hence promulgation of laws protecting informers, he said. 

Minister Morwaeng noted that disclosures about crime and corruption often came from people who had inside information on the internal operations and processes of entities they reported on or had previously had dealings with.

He however observed that potential whistleblowers were often afraid to come forward for fear of retaliation, which was not misplaced. 

The situation made it difficult for appropriate agencies to carry out effective investigations, Mr Morwaeng said. Consequently government saw the need to make appropriate laws to protect whistleblowers in a bid to counter the scourge of corruption as well as to keep pace with the ever-changing crime and economic dynamics.

“The Whistleblowing Act of 2016 came about in recognition of the fact that corruption is a very complex crime to deal with, and therefore, it was pertinent to put in place mechanisms that would facilitate the effective investigation and prosecution of such offences, including other wrongdoing within the public sector. It was determined that such mechanisms include appropriate and relevant legislation protecting those who may feel duty bound to blow the whistle on those involved in corrupt and maladministrative practices,” he said. He explained that enactment of a whistleblower protection law was also a way of encouraging  members of the public to report acts of impropriety. 

 The legislation was also in line with the UN Convention Against Corruption and the SADC protocol against corruption. 

Mr Morwaeng said Botswana was eager to meet the expectations of its citizens by continuously reviewing and reforming the country’s legal framework. 

The country envisaged prosperity for all and aimed for no or very low crime and corruption levels by 2036, he said.

British high commissioner, Ms Sian Price reiterated that whistleblowers were fundamental in uncovering wrongdoing and reducing the loss of critical state funds as they held information needed to bring perpetrators to account. 

They also played a pivotal role in ensuring transparency, she said.

Ms Price said because of their proximity to the corruption, whistleblowers were also the most vulnerable therefore needed protection and support.

Whistleblowers, who endangered their lives in seeking to do the right thing, needed employment protection as well as safety and security, she said. 

Ms Price said governments were responsible for ensuring that whistleblowing was no longer perceived as a threat but a tool which could aid the growth and vibrancy of an accountable, transparent and functioning democracy adhering to the principles of good governance. 

On corruption, she said it was a challenge globally which required concerted efforts for any progress to be made in tackling it. 

She commended Botswana for being a leading anti-corruption voice in Africa as well as  for its Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index position two ranking in the continent.Ends