28 Aug 2025

The Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) is currently investigating 54 high-profile cases and nine of such involved politicians from both the current and past administrations.

This was said by DCEC director general, Ms Botlhale Makgekgenene during a press conference on Wednesday.

She said the investigations of the cases were at an advanced stage hence she pleaded with the media for patience as the findings unfolded.

She disclosed that the DCEC’s 2024 plan centred on lifestyle audits as a way of uncovering corruption and acquisition of illicit assets and unaccounted properties, which according to her, was effective.

She further said in 2024, there were 687 reports of corruption and economic crimes, out of which 239 were classified for investigation for investigation, while the remaining reports were sent to other agencies as they outside DCEC’s mandate.

From January to August, she said they had registered 612 reports.

In 2024, she said DCEC traced and identified proceeds of corruption in the form of property and money values at about P144, 240, 085.52.

She further said that the DCEC was investigating suspected irregular land deals involving Mogoditshane Land Board officials.

To date, she said they had submitted 30 dockets to Directorate of Public Prosecution for possible prosecution.

In the recent matter of Mr Kgang Kgang, she confirmed that DPP withdrew it, saying the prosecution would re-look and advice accordingly. 

She explained that for the 2025/26 financial year, DCEC focused on anti-corruption strategies in three high risk areas; procurement, land matters and transport licencing.

At the moment, she said DCEC was reviewing the Corruption and Economic Crime Act to enhance the legislative framework and effectively tackle the intricate and advanced economic crimes of today.

Ms Makgekgenene also encouraged the media to report on issues that had been fact-checked; saying breaking news without verification or objectivity could damage the reputation of the accused, reporter and the news organisations.

She said DCEC would use press conferences as one of the strategies they had employed to share updates with the media to ensure a transparent information sharing system. ENDS