30 Jul 2024

Members of Parliament have expressed different views on whether or not to amend the Corruption and Economic Crimes Act as suggested, through a member’s private bill, by Selebi Phikwe legislator, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse on Monday.

Presenting the amendment Bill, Mr Keorapetse, also Leader of Opposition, said the DCEC, in its 30 years of operation, had been faced with challenges in undertaking its duties to investigate allegations of corruption and economic crime in Botswana under control by government, hence the need to amend the Act.

He said the Act should provide for DCEC’s autonomy so that the organisation would be able to investigate issues of corruption and related crime effectively and efficiently for a corrupt-free Botswana.

Contributing to the debate and supporting the proposed amendment to the Act, MP for Nkange, Dr Never Tshabang said while Botswana was known for her strong anti-corruption measures and good governance, the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) from Transparency International had since shown fluctuations in the country’s scores, reflecting challenges and emerging issues of increased corruption.

Dr Tshabang opined that increasing corruption was because the DCEC was not autonomous and therefore failed to address issues of corruption in the country.

“There is need to enhance the independence of DCEC and remove it from the office of President. Lack of independence is a hindrance in the organisation’s fight against corruption,” he said.

Also supporting the amendment to the Act was the Sefhare/Ramokgonami legislator, Dr Kesitegile Gobotswang.

“If DCEC is made independent from the Office of the President, it will play a proper oversight role without following instructions from the leadership. If the Office of the President continues to appoint and transfer the officers, the directorate will not be free to act accordingly.

“Its operations are at risk of interference and several corruption scandals involving senior officials are swept under the carpet because of that,” he said.

Dr Gobotswang said corruption threatened to harm the country’s reputation as an African model of good governance.

Goodhope/Mabule MP, Mr Eric Molale, however, argued that there were no major issues of corruption in Botswana.

Mr Molale said government had given every Motswana an opportunity to create wealth for themselves and that should not mean they were involved in corruption.

“It is upon every Motswana go tshela ka mofufutso wa phatla ya gagwe, than assume that they were wealthy because of corruption. Government has made various efforts to promote wealth creation and economic developments for its citizens,” he said.

He added that some of the initiatives that reflected the country’s approach to wealth creation included the Chema Chema programme, among others, to benefit all citizens.

Nata/Gweta MP, Mr Polson Majaga also argued against the amendment bill, saying because Botswana was said to be one of the least corrupt nations, that did not necessarily mean that there was no corruption at all.
Mr Majaga also argued that the DCEC was independent in its operations and was doing well in addressing issues of corruption in the country. ENDS