Botswana once stood proudly as Africa’s beacon of anti-corruption. Today, that reputation is crumbling. Recent reports of declining corruption rankings are not just numbers, they signal a crisis threatening its coveted democracy.
As the new Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) government takes charge, it must act decisively to equip the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) with the tools, laws, and resources needed to combat graft. The time for half-measures is over. DCEC Director-General, Botlhale Makgekgenene’s, recent address to the Public Accounts Committee paints a stark picture. Over five years, leadership instability, chronic underfunding and weak legal frameworks have hamstrung the agency.
With 1,603 cases under investigation and only 35% of reports leading to probes in 2024, the DCEC is drowning in caseloads whilst starved of financial support. Worse, Botswana’s global anti-corruption standing has plummeted, eroding public trust. The UDC government cannot afford to ignore this emergency.
First, the DCEC needs urgent financial reinforcement. Makgekgenene notes that budget increases barely cover inflation and salaries, leaving no room for innovation or expansion.
How can an agency tackle complex corruption cases with outdated tools? The DCEC’s regional offices are understaffed due to a government-wide hiring freeze, forcing headquarters to shoulder unsustainable workloads.
The UDC must lift this freeze and allocate targeted funds to recruit specialists, enhance training, and adopt technology for forensic investigations. Without manpower, progress is impossible.
Second, legal reforms are critical. The proposed review of the Corruption and Economic Crime Act (CECA) must be prioritised. Key amendments should secure the DCEC’s independence, protect the Director-General’s tenure, and impose harsher penalties for corruption.
Past political interference, evident in frequent leadership changes has bred instability and public scepticism. By legally shielding the DCEC from external influence, the UDC-led government can restore faith in its impartiality.
Additionally, lifestyle audits, a strategy highlighted by Makgekgenene, should be mandated for public officials. Section 34 of CECA, which targets unexplained wealth, must be enforced rigorously.
Corruption has evolved; traditional bribery is harder to trace, but lavish lifestyles funded by illicit gains remain visible. Proactive audits, backed by law, could deter wrongdoing and recover stolen assets.
Finally, Botswana needs a National Corruption Policy to streamline accountability measures and close loopholes.
The UDC government has a mandate to renew Botswana’s moral fabric. By resourcing the DCEC adequately, reforming laws, and insulating the agency from politics, it can rebuild Botswana's global standing.
Let this be the administration that future generations credit for restoring integrity. The fight against corruption cannot wait.
