06 Dec 2022

 Directorate of Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) office in Maun continues to receive allegations of corruption levelled against public officials across the various departments.  

 Briefing the media, the acting assistant director, Mr Thuso Gaolebe revealed that the office had received 60 corruption reports out of which 17 have been classified for investigations while 43 of the reports had been referred to the relevant authorities.

A total of 12 investigation cases, he said had been referred to the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) for assessment of evidence and possible prosecution adding that there were currently 11 cases at courts and 24 at DPP.

 Mr Gaolebe said that land issues form a large number of corruption-related matters citing that the Maun area had a high prevalence as far as the cases were concerned.

He explained that Maun was a tourist destination and received many people and as a result experienced a shortage of accommodation. As such, he said they experienced that some people faked certificates to sell non-existing plots.

He also mentioned some challenges such as inadequate management of records, especially at Tawana Land Board, Maun Administrative Authority (MAA) and Okavango Sub District Council which he said defeated the investigation purpose despite efforts to conduct anti-corruption awareness.

Anti-corruption awareness, he said had been conducted for the mainland board inclusive of all sub-land boards and a programme for primary school pupils was implemented in six schools within MAA and two workshops for faith-based organizations in Maun and Okavango respectively.

He however noted that plans were put in place to resuscitate Corruption Prevention Committees (CPCs) activities which have been put on hold owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He also urged all the departments in the district to have active CPCs noting that currently, the number stood at nine.

Meanwhile, this year’s United Nations International Anti-Corruption Day commemoration would be held in Maun on the December 9 under the theme “UNCA20: Uniting the world against corruption.”

The event would be held at Maun Sports Complex and the minister of State President, Mr Kabo Morwaeng is expected to officiate. The event would also be graced by village leadership, the UN Resident Coordinator and senior government officials among others.

Botswana was a signatory to the United Nations Convention of Corruption and was obliged to observe December 9 as an international anti-corruption day. The chairperson of the preparatory steering committee, Mr Ramogaupi Gaborekwe thanked DCEC for choosing Maun as the host for the significant event noting that preparations were at an advanced stage as various committees were working tirelessly to ensure the event was successful.

 A march from Nandos space led by the Botswana Defence Force would kick start the day's events and the Member of Parliament for Maun East, Mr Goretetse Kekgonegile would be the guest walker. ENDS