Debswana, DCEC unite to tighten anti-corruption measures
Pauline Dikuelo | Monday August 3, 2026 06:00
The two have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that formalises cooperation in preventing, detecting and investigating corruption while promoting ethical leadership and good governance. According to officials, the agreement provides a framework for collaboration in corruption prevention, investigations, information and knowledge sharing, institutional capacity building, integrity promotion, technical cooperation, governance advisory support and joint public awareness initiatives.
Equally, it will strengthen institutional resilience and enhance the protection of Botswana's strategic mineral resources against increasingly sophisticated forms of corruption and financial crime.
Debswana Managing Director, Andrew Motsomi, said the agreement marks a significant milestone in strengthening the company's governance framework and its commitment to ethical business practices.
'The Memorandum establishes a framework through which we will share knowledge, strengthen corruption prevention measures, enhance due diligence processes, support investigations where necessary and build capabilities that enable us to stay ahead of emerging risks and threats,' Motsomi said at the signing ceremony yesterday.
He added the MoU introduces structured mechanisms that will improve collaboration between the two institutions and enhance their collective effectiveness in promoting ethical conduct while protecting both organisational and national interests.
According to Motsomi, the partnership will also strengthen the diamond mining company's capacity to identify corruption risks early, prevent conflicts of interest, promote responsible business practices and reinforce accountability throughout its operations.
For her part, DCEC Director General, Botlhale Makgekgenene, said the signing builds on a relationship that has existed for many years through collaborative governance, security and anti-corruption initiatives aimed at safeguarding Botswana's mineral wealth.
She said the two institutions have previously worked together through the Diamond Security Committee, corruption prevention workshops, integrity awareness campaigns, and capacity-building programmes.
They also cooperated in multi-sector governance platforms such as the National Environmental Scan, where government departments, regulators and industry partners assess emerging corruption risks affecting strategic sectors.
Makgekgenene stressed that preventing corruption remains more effective than relying solely on criminal prosecution.
'The fight against corruption is won long before matters reach the courtroom. It is won when institutions strengthen governance systems, identify vulnerabilities timeously, embed integrity into decision-making and eliminate opportunities for corruption before public resources are placed at risk,' she said.
The DCEC boss noted that corruption has evolved significantly over the years and is no longer limited to bribery or abuse of office.
Instead, she said, it increasingly involves procurement manipulation, illicit financial flows, complex financial transactions, conflicts of interest, concealed beneficial ownership structures and technology-enabled financial crime, requiring institutions to continuously strengthen their systems and capabilities.
Makgekgenene warned that corruption continues to undermine economic growth, weaken institutions, erode public confidence, distort fair competition and divert resources intended to improve citizens' livelihoods.
Hence, she said, tackling the vice requires strong partnerships between the public and private sector to reduce vulnerabilities before corruption occurs.
'Prevention remains at the heart of our anti-corruption strategy. Partnerships such as this create an environment where integrity is not simply encouraged but expected. Prevention remains the strongest foundation for effective enforcement,' Makgekgenene said.
She added that the DCEC is modernising its operations by strengthening intelligence-led investigations, enhancing public education programmes, expanding institutional partnerships and deepening international cooperation to respond effectively to emerging corruption threats.