Africa-Press – Botswana. The Minister for State Presidency Mr Kabo Morwaeng has applauded stakeholders who are working tirelessly to entrench a corruption free culture in the society.
Giving a keynote address at the commemoration of African anti-corruption Day in Rasesa on July 12, Mr Morwaeng noted that the effects of sustained and systematic acts of corruption continued to undermine efforts of good governance and public service, and breeds loss of confidence in public institutions.
He, therefore, emphasised the role played by stakeholders such as village leadership, whistle blowers and activists, civil society and the media together with other arms of government in the fight against corruption.
“Today I call upon our young leaders to actively engage in anti-corruption efforts, to champion transparency, and to hold their leaders accountable,” he said.
Mr Morwaeng said government through the DCEC and other relevant institutions remained committed to the course of eliminating all forms of corruption.
Reflecting on this worthy course, he said on July 11, 2003, in Maputo Mozambique, the African Union adopted the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combatting Corruption (AUCPCC) which was later ratified on May 14, 2014. He said among the key milestones the country achieved was a Whistleblowing Act of 2014 that provides for safe whistleblowing.
He also added that the Proceeds and Instruments of Crime Act of 2014, as amended in 2018, provides for depriving persons convicted of certain crimes of benefits derived from such crimes and deprive persons of property suspected to be proceeds or instruments of crime and also deals with issues related to money laundering.
“All these changes were necessary in line with Article 4 to 6 of the Convention as well as the requirements of the UN Convention on Combatting Corruption (UNCAC) which Botswana ratified on June 27, 2011”.
Minister Morwaeng said the theme for this year: African Union on Preventing and Combatting Corruption 20 Years After, Achievements and Prospects, called for all to pause and reflect on the strides and challenges the country had gone through and to chart the way forward.
Acting Director General of the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) Mr Tshepo Pilane said corruption was a cancer that hampered development of Africa.
“It diverts resources meant for the common good into the pockets of a few, perpetuating poverty, inequality and injustice. Corruption stifles innovation, discourages investment, and weakens the foundation of our economies,” he said.
Mr Pilane said the AU in its unwavering commitment to good governance and transparency had spearheaded numerous initiatives to tackle this menace head-on.
He said the DCEC since its establishment has been at the forefront of Botswana’s fight against corruption, and worked tirelessly to uphold the principles enshrined in the AUCPCC.
“Our mission has been to prevent, detect3 and investigate corruption cases and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice,” he said.
The acting director general said over the years they have made significant progress through successful investigations on numerous corruption cases leading to conviction of individuals involved in corrupt practices.
Mr Pilane added that as part of their commitment to combatting corruption, DCEC was currently undertaking a comprehensive review of the Corruption and Economic Crime Act, which aims to address the evolving challenges and complexities associated with combatting corruption effectively.
Reading the speech on behalf of the African Union General Secretary, director of public prosecution, Ms Nomsa Moatswi said 48 African countries had ratified the AUCPCC and subscribed to it while Cape Verde, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, eSwatini, Somalia and South Sudan had been encouraged to ratify and domesticate the Convention.
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