DCEC advised to form own prosecution wing

KEOBONYE MAJATSIE
Correspondent | Friday May 27, 2011 00:00

Speaking at the first Commonwealth Regional Conference for heads of anti-corruption agencies in Africa in Gaborone on Monday, former Dean of Social Science and University of Law School, Professor Kwame Frimpong said, 'a situation where the Attorney General and the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) operate as one should be abolished.'  

Frimpong explained that if the DCEC had its own prosecution unit, the advantage is that it would reduce the backlog and piling of cases at the DPP.

He also advised that the police's prosecution unit fall under the DPP. In Botswana the Police have a prosecution wing which falls under it. But DCEC Director Ruth Seretse said such an arrangement could lead to the agency becoming a player and referee at the same time.

'I think the problem with that is that it can also lead to a situation where people think that there is a witch-hunt,' she said.

Touching on other topics, Frimpong said opposition parties should not be seen as an enemy of the government but as one of the instruments that nurtures democracy.

'The opposition should always keep checks and balances and take part or comment on issues of national interest,' he said.

He said for credible elections, there is need for an Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) that is guaranteed under the Constitution and not one that is appointed by the President.

He said the leadership needs to be sensitized on the role played by the media. 'Freedom of the press should be guaranteed. And the media themselves must ensure that they do not abuse their powers,' he said.

On suggestions that there is corruption within some media houses in the continent, Frimpong advised that an independent body be set up so that in the event that cases of corruption arise they be investigated.'A credible body must be set up to investigate such reports and then make its recommendations,' he said. Tanzania's Prevention and Combating of Corruption (PCCB) Director General,  Dr Edward Hosea concurred with Frimpong.

'We need prosecuting powers, the ability to prosecute. We are hamstrung.  We cannot question the DPP decisions and we have cases piling up at the DPP,' he said. Hosea also took a swipe at his country's DPP.

'We see the DPP as the problem because it is too slow to make decisions especially on political heavyweights. In Africa we have so many laws but we are not enforcing them,' he said.

DCEC's Botlhale Makgekgenene said the DCEC has recently been investigating complex cases. She said that they have recorded a reduction in corruption levels in certain ministries.

She attributed this to aggressive public education and campaigns by her organisation. 'But there is an increase in conflict of interest cases being the main area of concern for the past 10 years,' she said.

She added that they have made service level agreement with the DPP and the result is that there is a reduction of cases piling up there. (Sila Press Agency)