Fighting Corruption: a journey not an event – Botswana’s steps

1. Fighting Corruption: a journey not an event – Botswana’s steps BY Mrs Rose Nunu Seretse Director- Directorate On Corruption and Economic Crime - Botswana

2. CORRUPTION PRONE AREAS IN BOTSWANA The following are corruption prone areas in Botswana: • Procurement/Purchasing/award of tenders • Land allocation • Driving licences, Road permits • Student sponsorship • Residence and Work Permits • Recruitment • Conflict of Interest • Fraud • Culture of giving gifts

3. Investigation Division -Assessment Centre • The assessment centre receives allegations of corruption and economic crime. After receiving allegations, the unit conducts preliminary inquiries on reported matters.

4. Formation of Corruption Prevention Committees(CPCs) • Being cognisant of the adage; “ prevention is better than cure”, the DCEC established CPCs in government ministries and departments.

5. Assignment Studies • Some of the studies conducted so far include: • Department Of Road Transport and Safety- Issuance of drivers licences • Department of Immigration and Citizenship-issuance of passport • University of Botswana- Procurement • Botswana Power Corporation - Recruitment

6. Formation of Anti Corruption Units • Anti Corruption Units have been formed in Ministries that were found to be problematic on issues of corruption. These include: • Ministry of Infrastructure, Science and Technology • Ministry of Finance and Development Planning • Ministry of Education and Skills Development

7. Collaboration with the Private Sector • The DCEC in collaboration with the private sector has developed a Code of Conduct for the Private Sector. • A new association is been formed called Business Action Against Corruption which will be private sector driven and one of its mandate will to be spearhead the implementation of the Code of Conduct.

8. Infusion of Anti-Corruption Concepts in the Curriculum • The Public Education division infused anti-corruption concepts into the formal school curriculum in 2010. • Consultations are ongoing to do the same with training institutions such as the Botswana Police Service, Prisons Department and the Public Service College.

9. Challenges • Low implementation of recommendations coming out of corruption prevention assignment studies • Low response to matters referred to other institutions by the DCEC • Lack of skills in some investigators • High Public Perception of corruption • Slow disposal of cases in the criminal justice system • Failure to take responsibility and accountability by some Heads of Organizations • Members of CPCs and ACUs are regarded as spies of the DCEC.

10. Interventions and Support Structures • Political Will – the fight against corruption in Botswana is not the responsibility of the DCEC alone. His Excellency the President of Botswana requires that all the Permanent Secretaries in their quarterly reports to him should state what their doing to curb corruption in their ministries. • Monitoring template – the DCEC has developed a monitoring template that ministries have to complete to state the level of implementation of recommendations emanating from the studies.

11. Interventions Cont… • The Criminal Justice Forum chaired by the Minister of Defence, Justice and Security brings together key players on a quarterly basis to discuss issues of disposal of cases. • A service level agreement has been signed between the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Director of DCEC to improve turn around time of cases at DPP. Monthly meetings are held between DPP and DCEC.

12. Indicators of Corruption • Formation of Multiple Companies • Opening Several Bank Accounts • Extended friendship with clients • Working excessively long hours • Refusal to go on transfer • Change in lifestyle