DCEC's spiking caseload

Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Tuesday June 17, 2025 11:13

Makgekgenene was speaking during a recent media meet and greet session at the Cresta Thapama Hotel. In response to a question about how many cases are currently before court, she answered that 350 cases are still ongoing at the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) or before the courts. She further said there are 62 cases that were submitted to the DPP by December 31, 2024 for possible prosecution. According to Makgekgenene, they do submit the same cases to the DPP so that they can review the outcomes of whatever investigations they have conducted and determine whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed with prosecution. “At the end of last year there were seven cases completed at the courts. Although you were only aware of one big one but there were other cases that were completed before the courts, “she added. Makgekgenene previously announced that they have received 687 reports alleging corruption and economic crime in 2024. “Out of the 687 reports received, 238 of these reports were classified for investigation, constituting 34%. The rest of the reports were either referred to other institutions for appropriate action as these were deemed to be outside the Directorate’s mandate or advice given to sources/informants to pursue the matter,” she continued. Additionally, she said out of the 238 cases classified for investigation, 221 were corruption-related, seven involved economic crimes and 10 were related to money laundering. Speaking about the Francistown region, Makgekgenene stated that the district receives 30 reports on a quarterly basis. She also stated that the majority of cases or reports pertain to procurement and corruption in transportation licences. “As we speak, we have a very big case that we are dealing with on transport issues. We are also receiving reports on land related issues,” she added.

Makgekgenene noted that the majority of the reports are under the sectors that they prioritise on anti-corruption efforts into three high-risk sectors which are procurement, land, and transport licensing. He highlighted that the three high-risk sectors have historically posed significant challenges to our efforts to combat corruption.

On another note, she stated that the Directorate is aware of the corruption allegations or issues within state-owned institutions (parastatals) and they have instituted investigations into those. These investigations are at different stages, some are at an advanced stage while some are still at the early stages, she added. According to DCEC DG, the major issue, which cuts across all the concerned state-owned enterprises is more on poor regulation and non-compliance to procurement processes. She added that besides investigations, they are also working on recommending corrective measures aimed at improving governance and preventing corruption, at the same time ensuring that procurement processes are transparent and competitive. She stated that they were also aware of high-profile cases reported in some parts of the media, which I know have your keen interest. “While these are not yet ready to be shared with the media, please be assured that when the time is right, we will call you for a press conference where we will avail details regarding such cases,” she continued.

Makgekgenene also emphasised on the role of social media and technology in the dissemination of real time news and information cannot be overstated. She stated that as they navigate the complex landscape of corruption and economic crime, it is imperative that they strengthen avenues and channels for consistent healthy and constructive dialogue. She indicated that collaboration of their entities can ensure that they remain vigilant and proactive in combating corruption, thus enhancing the economic standing and good governance of the nation. “I must acknowledge that the fight against corruption is fraught with challenges. Every day we encounter obstacles that test our operational effectiveness, strategies and capabilities as an anti-corruption agency,” she added.

However, she indicated that it is essential that they view these challenges as opportunities for growth and improvement. Makgekgenene was also worried about the coverage on Botswana’s international anti-corruption ratings and rankings (which are on the decline) that was not widely covered as expected by them. She further said it might be important to further share the Corruption Perception Index focusing on the decline, outlining what specific factors have contributed to this decline as well as how these can be addressed to improve the country’s ranking. Makgekgenene also said a world where fake news can take centre stage, the media remains bestowed with a critical role of informing the nation and shaping public perception. “The rapid spread of misinformation, particularly through social media platforms, has demonstrated the need for maintaining credible journalism and responsible reporting,” she continued. In this regard, she said the media has a significant responsibility to be diligent with fact checking and verification exercises, as this not only helps combat the spread of false narratives, but also builds trust with their audience, stakeholders and the general public.