04 Aug 2026

Corruption remains one of the greatest threats to national development, as it is no longer confined to isolated acts of bribery or abuse of office.

Speaking during the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoU) between the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) and Debswana recently, DCEC Director General, Ms Botlhale Makgekgenene said corruption undermined economic growth, eroded public trust, weakened institutions, distorted fair competition, and diverted resources that should otherwise improve the lives of citizens.

She noted that corruption increasingly manifested through procurement manipulation, complex financial transactions, illicit financial flows, complex beneficial ownership structures, and technology-enabled financial crime.

Consequently, she stated that institutions responsible for protecting Botswana's resources must evolve with equal determination.

Because these negative effects impact both the public and private sectors, Ms Makgekgenene emphasised that it was imperative to work together to effectively reduce corruption vulnerabilities.

“As the DCEC, we recognise that no single institution can successfully combat corruption in isolation. Therefore, meaningful progress can only be achieved when government institutions, state-owned enterprises, private sector organisations, civil society, the media, and citizens unite around a common purpose. In our case, that common purpose is a corruption-free society,” she said.

She explained that the memorandum provides a framework to govern cooperation in corruption prevention, investigations, and information and knowledge sharing.

She highlighted that the success of the MoU would be measured by the governance systems it strengthened, the institutional capacity it built, and the corruption risks it collectively mitigated.

Ms Makgekgenene added that, collectively, these areas of cooperation would strengthen institutional resilience, promote ethical leadership, and contribute to effectively safeguarding Botswana's strategic resources.

“The Directorate appreciates Debswana's commitment to continuously strengthening integrity systems, promoting accountability, and transparency.

Such collaboration demonstrates responsible corporate governance and reinforces the important contribution of the private sector to Botswana's governance agenda,” she said.

Similarly, Debswana Chief Executive Officer Mr Andrew Motsomi noted that corruption and economic crime were not victimless offenses, as they undermined investment, weaken institutions, distort fair competition, and erode public confidence.

He cautioned that if left unchecked, corruption could threaten both economic growth and social progress.

Therefore, he said it was incumbent upon both the public and private sectors alike to work together to safeguard the integrity of their institutions and the resources entrusted to them.

To that effect, Mr Motsomi highlighted that the MoU provided a platform for practical and meaningful collaboration between the two organizations.

He cited that it established a framework through which both organisations could share knowledge, strengthen corruption prevention measures, enhance due diligence processes, and build capabilities to stay ahead of emerging risks and threats.

“Through this partnership, Debswana and DCEC send a clear message that integrity is not negotiable. We are committed to conducting business responsibly, protecting stakeholder value, and ensuring that our operations continue to contribute positively to Botswana's development and prosperity,” he said.

He concluded that the partnership reflected both organisations’ shared commitment to protecting the values that underpined good governance, responsible leadership, and public confidence. ENDS