�More needs to be done on corruption�
Correspondent | Thursday December 22, 2016 13:50
Fighting corruption is a human rights issue because evidence shows that the poor are most vulnerable to being affected, in any society. Corruption contributes to political and economic instability, poverty and affects access to and the quality of education, health services, justice delivery, democracy, prosperity and development.
Governments, the private sector, non-governmental organisations, the media and citizens around the world are joining forces to fight this crime. International Anti-Corruption Day is an opportunity for all stakeholders and the general public to reflect on the insidious nature of corruption. This year the UN has focussed on corruption as one of the biggest impediments to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. To mark the 2016 International Anti-Corruption Day, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has developed a wide-ranging campaign focused on different Sustainable Development Goals and on how tackling corruption is vital to achieving them.
Corruption does not just steal money from where it is needed the most; it leads to weak governance, which in turn can fuel organised criminal networks and promote crimes such as human trafficking, arms and migrant smuggling, counterfeit products and the illegal trade in endangered species. DITSHWANELO commends the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) for both investigating cases related to bribery, conflict of interest, fraud, embezzlement, theft of government assets, money laundering, tax evasion, and abuse of office and for bringing suspects before the Courts.
Botswana’s record on fighting corruption is recognised by Transparency International, an international non-governmental organisation, to be of high standing, compared to other countries on the African continent.
However, more needs to be done before a comprehensive anti-corruption strategy is produced, adopted and implemented throughout Botswana. Laws about disclosure of assets, interests and liabilities, insider trading, targeted lifestyle audits, whistleblowing, the public funding of political parties and freedom of information are currently lacking.
DITSHWANELO calls on the Government to prioritise the production of a strengthened legislative framework, an appropriate budget and increased powers of DCEC so that no one, no matter his or her position in our society, is above being robustly investigated and held to account in an open and transparent way.
Gaborone
DITSHWANELO