Africa-Press – Botswana. Botswana is working on establishing a civil society driven anti-corruption culture, Vice President Slumber Tsogwane has said.
He told a Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) Pitso in Gaborone yesterday that Botswana was taking the direction because engaging civil society organisations in the fight against corruption had been found to be effective.
“Despite our robust anti-corruption strategy, we are alive to the need to continuously stay on top of our game and that we accordingly need to complete the puzzle by introducing another piece in the form of civil society,” he said. The vice president said for many years, Botswana had been rated among the least corrupt countries in Africa by Transparency International and other agencies often occupying first position.
“These favourable rankings over the years are a result of our continued introspection and our quest for continuous improvement,” he said.
Mr Tsogwane said despite the accolades, corruption remained a great concern as corruption matters continued to demonstrate technological sophistry and advancement.
“It is in this regard that institutions such as DCEC should not only improve technologically but increase their footprint in the community through partnering with stakeholders such as community based organisations,” he said.
The vice president said corruption was a threat to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals and 2030 Agenda for sustainable development.
Quoting the United Nations Convention against Corruption, he described corruption as an insidious plague that undermined democracy, led to human rights violations, distorted markets and eroded the quality of life as well as allowed organised crime, terrorism and other threats to flourish.
Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission representative, Ms Thandiwe Mlobane concurred with Mr Tsogwane on the need for civil society engagement in the fight against corruption.
Civil society often helped to empower communities and pressurised the public sector to investigate corrupt practices, she said. Acting DCEC director general Mr Tshepo Pilane said working alongside civil society would build transparency and effectiveness in fighting corruption.
The two-day conference themed, The fight against corruption, 29 years and beyond, ends today.
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