19 Mar 2026

Asset declaration is a vital anti-corruption tool with the potential to act as a deterrent against abuse of office. 

Contributing to the debate on the Directorate of Ethics and Integrity budget proposals for the 2026/27 financial year on Wednesday, Palapye MP, Mr Onneetse Ramogapi, said it was crucial for public officials to disclose income, assets and liabilities immediately after taking an oath of office. 

That, he noted, would help detect illicit enrichment and prevent conflicts of interest. 

Mr Ramogapi stated that requiring politicians and public officials to disclose their financial status served the public interest and assists in rooting out corruption, a vice he described as a threat to national security that undermined the well-being of citizens. 

He emphasised that asset declarations were a powerful mechanism to prevent corruption and expose unexplained wealth. 

Similarly, in support of the budget proposals, Lentsweletau/Lephephe MP, Mr Tshenolo Bogatsu noted that preventing corruption was a matter of public interest. 

He highlighted the importance of funding the Directorate to ensure that senior government officials did not exploit the country’s economy for self-enrichment. 

However, Mr Bogatsu pleaded for the independence, resourcing and capacitation of oversight bodies, particularly the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) as custodians of such declarations. 

He also called for an amendment to the Declaration of Assets and Liabilities Act, arguing that the current Act was ineffectual because it covered all government employees. 

He suggested that the law should be more specific and target elite government accounting officers, politicians and procurement officers. 

“Clearly the Act has so many loopholes, hence the need to amend it with the intent to further fortify its objectives,” he said. 

Letlhakeng MP, Brig. Domcaza Mokgwathi commended the Directorate on its commitment to fostering accountability. 

He emphasised the need to establish a robust system to systematically monitor the interests and assets of officials. 

Brig. Mokgwathi noted that by requiring officials to disclose assets both upon taking and leaving office, it became easier to identify unjustifiable increases in wealth that may suggest bribery or corruption. 

Maun East legislator, Mr Goretetse Kekgonegile highlighted the need to make asset declaration a legal requirement for those involved in procurement, citing ongoing corruption related to the awarding of public tenders. 

He also opined that the ruling party should avoid soliciting sponsorships from companies doing business with government. 

Additionally, while supporting the Directorate in principle, Mr Kekgonegile cautioned that the entity would not serve its intended purpose unless the DCEC was granted true independence from Office of the President to enable it to execute its duties without restriction from the Executive. ENDS