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GABORONE, BOTSWANA - The just released Transparency International (TI)Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2014 has ranked Botswana as the least corrupt country in Africa for the 19th year in a row. Since 1995, the anti-corruption group TI releases its annual CPI which has been a vehicle in bringing out the international issues of corruption in public sectors to light. It has prompted governments to heed to the corruption subject and put it on the international policy agenda.
The 2014 Corruption Perceptions Index shows that economic growth is undermined and efforts to stop corruption fade when leaders and high level officials abuse power to appropriate public funds for personal gain...
Corrupt officials smuggle ill-gotten assets into safe havens through offshore companies with absolute impunity,... Countries at the bottom need to adopt radical anti-corruption measures in favour of their people. Countries at the top of the index should make sure they don’t export corrupt practices to underdeveloped countries.”
José Ugaz, the chair of Transparency International.
Botswana did not only do well in the continent but also globally, the latest index puts the country above almost two-thirds of the European countries and amongst the top fifty of the 175 surveyed countries. Botswana ranked 31st out of 175 countries with overall score of 63, ahead of Lesotho, Namibia both ranked 55th and with a score of 49 each and one of the Sub-Saharan powerhouse country, South Africa, ranking 67th with a score of 44. Botswana is the only African country to score above 60 out of 100. However, the country still needs to work hard in order to combat corruption activities as it still lags behind when compared to Denmark, which holds the #1 spot at 92 out of 100.
Corruption and Money Laundering
Many people argue that corruption is a matter of individual’s consciousness and self-awareness standing. Whether that holds water or not, the bottom line is, corruption ruins both individual and the society in large. It creates an atmosphere of mistrust amongst civilians, costs lives, democracy, as well as people’s rights. Corruption tolerance in a society will only yield dishonest and deceitful leaders.
Money laundering is the process of transferring funds obtained through criminal activities to conceal their origins. The perpetrators then transform the funds into ostensibly legitimise monies and assets for future use by introducing them to financial systems using different methods such as the use of monetary mechanism like money orders and cheques, or by dividing large amount of money into subtle amount before depositing it into their bank account(s). This money can also be used to finance illegal activities such as terrorism, drugs smuggling and human trafficking.
The funds are usually channelled through series of conversions such as the use of different banks scattered across the world or purchase of non-existing goods or service before making it to the launderer’s bank account therefore appearing legitimate.
Anti-corruption administration - Botswana’s zero tolerance
Botswana’s zero tolerance approach to corruption has contributed in it establishing channels that will assist both the government and society in the fight against corruption and money laundering. The Southern African country has put in place different measures to combat corruption:
Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-money Laundering Group (ESAALG)
Botswana is a member of Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-money Laundering Group (ESAALG) which aims to tackle money laundering and terrorist financing amongst its Member States. One of the objectives of the ESAALG is to adopt and implement the Forty Recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). FATF is an inter-governmental body that develops and promotes both national and international policies that combat money laundering and terrorist financing.
Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC)
This independent law enforcement agency was established in 1994 under the Corruption and Economic Crime Act of Botswana. By following and employing 3 dimensional strategies which are investigation, corruption prevention and public education, the Directorate has manged to act against corruption and economic crimes:
- Investigation – It investigates allegations of corruption and economic crime and also dubious transactions matters.
- Corruption Prevention: Through this division, DCEC audits governmental and parastatal institutions’ systems to stem out any loophole that can open the door for corruption.
- Public Education: The mandate of this division is to sensitise the public on the issues of corruption and also to solicits its support in the fight against corruption.
Anyone can report corruption and economic crime to DCEC. The informant can choose to be anonymous when report their suspicions in order to protect themselves against victimisation. However, the DCEC have put in place protective mechanisms that ensure that its informants are not victimised or maltreated and it also carries out its investigations and cases with extreme confidentiality.
Anti-money Laundering Committee
This committee was formed by Botswana government to fight corruption. The committee is made up of different parastatal and government institutions which include the DCEC, Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, Bank of Botswana, Attorney General and Botswana Police Service. Every two months, the committee holds a session in which the members communicate their self-evaluation, assessment, technical support and information that assist in combating money laundering.
The Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Board (PPADB)
This parastatal institution falls under the ambit of Ministry of Finance and Development Planning and was passed and endorsed by an Act of Parliament of 2001. The mandate of PPADB is to adjudicate and award tenders for Central Government and any other institutions specified under the Act for the delivery of works, services and supplies related services. Any institution that plans on doing business with the Botswana government have to register with PPADB so as to enable it to enforce guidelines that manage projects to guarantee value for money in the procurement and assets disposal.
Competition Authority (CA) and Competition Commission
This is another operational autonomous parastatal that was established by the Competition Act of 2009. It was enacted at the same time with the Competition Commission whose mandate is to act as the governing body of the CA and adjudicate over matters referred to it by the CA. The CA on the other hand operates as the secretariat and conducts the daily procedures of the Authority such as regulating the merging of organisations, and carrying out investigations that include but not limited to bid rigging, price fixing, market allocation scheme and overseeing and solves any arising matter pertaining to the Act. Both the CC and CA fall under Ministry of Trade and Industry. The Authority advocates for fair competition and market amongst enterprises.
Anti-Corruption School Curricula
The government of Botswana have included Corruption awareness as part of the school curricula. This assists instil moral uprightness attitude therefore ensuring that students grow to be upstanding and principled citizens. Anti-Corruption clubs have been established in both junior and senior schools whilst in primary schools, The Raboammaaruri (literary meaning father of truth) campaign have been formed. The objectives of the clubs and campaign are to encourage integrity, accountability and anti-corruption information dissemination.
Countries, more especially African ones, need to establish balance on power, advocate and endorse anti-corruption practices and laws. In addition, I commend the Botswana government on enforcing laws and policies that tackle corruption therefore becoming a leading example to its African counterparts. It goes to show that African governments have the capacity and capability to work on their ethics in order to serve their people.
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