DCEC under scrutiny
Kabo Ramasia | Monday January 19, 2026 09:22
Established in 1994 under the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) government, the DCEC has, for the greater part of its existence, been generally regarded as a ‘useless’ entity. Despite Botswana holding it down for years as one of Africa’s most stable democracies with a commendable economic track record, the DCEC came under scrutiny for failing to fully live up to its mandate. However, in the dawn of a Second Republic, talk of a reformed DCEC has thus been topical. So, with the much-anticipated forensic audit lurking in the background and several high-profile corruption probes as confirmed by the DCEC late last year, now said to be nearing prosecution, the year 2026 is anticipated to be a busy one for the anti-graft busting agency.
The new year, often characterised by resolutions, is upon Batswana. It is a period when most reflect and set targets (goals) on how they envisage the year to go. Such a period is usually marked with great optimism and hope for a better fortune. But it appears, this time, the DCEC will leave no stone unturned in its quest to expose corrupt scoundrels and bring to justice those who looted public funds and left the country teetering on the brink of economic collapse. For years, the DCEC was slammed for being toothless and lacking a spine, given their failure to investigate the politically powerful. The DCEC was accused of lacking the operational independence to nail the powerful, whilst it was quick to persecute the small men. In the past, cases like that of the late former political kingmaker for the BDP, Louis Nchindo, the alleged fleecing of National Petroleum Fund (NPF) involving P250 million, the over P500 million siphoning off at the Capital Management Botswana (CMB) and the much-publicised P100 billion ‘Butterfly’ fabrication have all dented the anti-graft agency’s credibility. Even worse, what appeared to have been the straw that broke the camel’s back was the fact that while Botswana was gradually declining in corruption perception indices, the economic hardships continued to afflict the citizenry, while much seemed not to have been done in curbing abuse of public resources.
The role of the DCEC, inefficiencies and other challenges that besiege it were recently unpacked at length in December 2025 at a Botswana Peace Conference & Festival held in Gaborone.
Sharing her perspectives at the event, former DCEC director general, Rose Seretse, said part of the reason corruption escalated in recent memory was due to the then government’s decision to allow civil servants to engage in private businesses. Seretse said that, during her tenure at the DCEC, she queried such a development, although it fell on deaf ears. She further said the lack of security of tenure was what defeated efforts to fight corruption, as the director general could be removed at any time at the instance of the president. That, coupled with political interference, were some of the major systemic hurdles of the DCEC. Similarly, another erstwhile DCEC head honcho, Tymon Katlholo, bemoaned a lack of strong political will to reduce this scourge. Katlholo said in the past, there was a compromised political will whereby political leaders made promising statements to combat corruption, whilst, on the contrary, they were personally involved in acts of corruption. Katlholo said that despite rhetorical statements, leaders showed no initiative.
Referencing Edward Hossiah, former Anti-Corruption Bureau, Tanzania, he said (strong and credible political will): “manifests when leaders demonstrate in deeds a record of effective action against corruption or criminal proceedings. Accept the outcome of the investigation and legal proceedings against corruption irrespective of who is involved”. According to Katlholo, corruption entailed monopoly power, discretionary power minus accountability multiplied by impunity. On the contrary, he said good governance plus the rule of law required a striking balance between efficiency and accountability.
In March 2025, the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) government launched a forensic audit, which President Advocate Duma Gideon Boko said would cover a period of 10 years (2014-2024). Boko stated that the first stage of the audit was meant to investigate, assess, and identify corruption, fraud and embezzlement across government departments, ministries and identified parastatals and regulatory bodies. The audit, which is expected to conclude in March 2026, is being conducted by a Middle East firm identified as Alvarez & Marsal (A&V) to the tune of over P54 million. Boko further said, “Stage two of the audit will last for a maximum of nine months and will resume with the evaluation of the effectiveness and efficiency of all government structures and practices within government ministries, departments, state-owned enterprises and regulatory authorities”.
The president outlined that the second phase was about utilising data to map out tools to be deployed in mitigating corruption and ensuring compliance among government entities and parastatals. He said subsequently, there would be a developed framework to help curb future corruption instances.
DCEC reforms
At the occasion of the 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA) Boko announced the official delinking of the DCEC from the public service. Boko noted that this was in lieu of giving the institution its much-needed autonomy. Further, he stated that the Corruption and Economic Crime (CECA) Act of 2013 will be reviewed.
Explaining the reforms in earnest in a series of his stakeholder engagements, Minister for State President, Defence and Security, Moeti Mohwasa, has repeatedly stated that the remodelling of the DCEC is to align it with the current government’s graft-fighting aspirations. Mohwasa indicated that the revamped DCEC would report to a Parliamentary Committee, which will be responsible for selecting candidates for the DG position and recommend to the president for appointment. Mohwasa therefore challenged the DCEC to live up to its mandate in the wake of growing concerns over corruption.
With the conclusion of the forensic audit, the DCEC is expected to show its mettle as it lives up to public expectations in unearthing evidence in corruption practices which transpired in the past. Already, two former BDP ministers’ assets remain frozen while investigations by the DCEC proceed. Meanwhile, the cases are still at an infancy stage before the courts. However, the public wait in sheer anticipation to see how the DCEC under a new political administration will fare.