11 Dec 2022

Batswana have been implored to abhor greed as it  fuels corruption which destroys livelihoods and disrupts  government’s drive for attaining Vision 2036 objectives as well as Sustainable Development Goals.

There is need for behavioural and attitudes reorientation in all leadership positions in order to restore Batswana’s dominant instinct of doing what is good, right and ethical.

Minister for State President Mr Kabo Morwaeng said this on the occasion of International Anti-corruption Day commemmoration in Maun on Friday.  

“My appeal is that we think right, choose right, and act right at all times, especially to withstand being exposed to compromising situations bordering on the possibility of falling for corruption,’ said the minister.

Mr Morwaeng explained that corrupt practices occured not only in government or private sector offices but at different levels.

To illustrate, he said one could not tempt a a police officer with a bribe to avoid being booked for a traffic offence then later cry foul.

Both the briber and the police officer were morally and legally blame worthy, said the minister.

Mr Morwaeng said there was no fence-sitting when it came to confronting corruption.

“As individuals, families, institutions, companies, public servants, and the government, we should have zero tolerance for corruption, that is our collective role as a people who do not want to be robbed of opportunities for decent living, equitable sharing of resources of our country,” he said.

He said the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) was steadfast on taking its services to the public.

That was because the fight against corruption would be profoundly impactful if members of the public were educated on avenues of corrupt practices so as to be wise, moral and ethical in their actions, Minister Morwaeng said.

Quoting the 2021 Corruption Perception Index, UNDP resident coordinator Mr Zia Choudury said Botswana was now sitting at a score of 55 having been downgraded from 60.

There was need to strengthen the country’s anti-corruption policies to restore its least corrupt status, he said.

Mr Choudury said the UN was committed to supporting Botswana attain a corrupt-free status hence government had been requested to finalise review the 2016 Whistleblower Act and the 1990 Anti-corruption Policy.

MP for Maun East Mr Goretetse Kekgonegile stated that corruption had changed its face nowadays with criminals applying innovative tactics.

 He called on all stakeholders to  be similarly prompt and innovative in fighting corruption.

Mr Kekgonegile said Botswana used to be an example in fighting corruption in Africa but its performance had dropped.

The state of affairs needed evaluation and strengthening of systems to ensure eradication of corrupt practices, said the MP.

Noting that Ngamiland was steadily growing in population and development with  many companies engaged in project, Mr Kekgonegile advised DCEC to be vigilant and ensure there were no corrupt practices involved. 

The commemoration was held under the theme, United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) at 20: Uniting the World Against Corruption marking the commencement of advocacy efforts which would reach their climax in  UNCAC‘s 20th anniversary in December 2023. ENDS