* Estimated to cost P62 million and conducted by international experts
President Duma Boko has reiterated government’s unwavering commitment to conducting a forensic audit, emphasising that they are not joking about their intentions.
Speaking at the Colloquium for Judges of the Court of Appeal, Boko stated that the audit aims to strengthen Botswana’s institutions and improve their effectiveness. Boko cautioned that no one should assume that the government is bluffing, stating that they are “dead serious” about the initiative.
However, he acknowledged the challenge of determining where to begin, given the high cost associated with forensic audits. He estimated that the audit would require approximately USD 4.5 million (about P62 million) and would be conducted by international firms.
The decision to engage external experts stems from Botswana’s small size, where deep affiliations among citizens might raise concerns about impartiality and allegations of witch-hunts.
Boko affirmed that where the audit uncovers criminal conduct, legal action will be pursued. He emphasised the judiciary’s crucial role in addressing cases that may arise from the audit.
Boko also highlighted the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) evaluation, which indicated that Botswana has strong regulatory frameworks to combat illicit financial flows, money laundering, and
terrorism.
However, he noted that the effectiveness of the institutions enforcing these laws remains questionable.
“You said P100 billion was stolen, you then alleged the financing of terrorism. Now, we are looking at you,” Boko remarked, pointing out the implications of past allegations that have placed Botswana under scrutiny.
He questioned how a young Motswana could be accused of financing terrorism when the country has no identified terrorist organisations. He warned that such accusations threaten Botswana’s economic stability and development prospects.
Boko also noted a concerning decline in investor confidence, which has dropped by 26 percent. To counteract these risks, the government will ensure the audit is conducted at a reasonable cost while maintaining professional standards.
The audit will also incorporate advanced asset tracing, and recovery measures to demonstrate the government’s seriousness in combating corruption, illicit financial flows, and financial crimes.
“We count on the judiciary to ensure that these cases are addressed,” Boko said, emphasising that tackling corruption is essential for securing resources to develop the nation.
He criticised professionals entrusted with delivering key government projects, stating that many failed not due to incompetence but because they were compromised through corruption and bribery.
Boko lamented the widespread corruption, professional impropriety, and abuse of public office, which he said have had devastating consequences, including loss of lives and significant economic harm.
He stressed that all citizens have an obligation to contribute to economic growth and attract foreign direct investment to aid national development.
The President also took aim at Members of Parliament, criticising those who ask “frivolous” questions instead of focusing on legislation that would foster national progress.
He reaffirmed his vision for Botswana’s transformation, boldly declaring that within the next three years, the country will look completely different from its current state.
“I am affirming things that will come,” Boko concluded, signalling his administration’s determination to implement sweeping reforms for Botswana’s future.
Speaking in Parliament, President Boko stated that the forensic audit has asset-tracing capabilities to track stolen funds. He further mentioned that the forensic audit will begin in no more than two weeks.
Boko highlighted that a previous attempt to audit a government department had a quote of P250 million. However, this audit will cover the entire government, and given its scale, the government would need to spend billions to audit itself.
He revealed that, through negotiations with an international firm, the cost to audit the government and 30 state-owned enterprises would be around P60 million.
Additionally, Boko emphasiaed that stolen funds will be tracked and returned. He also warned both past and present ministers that, as holders of fiduciary positions, they could be held personally accountable if they defraud the state, with the potential for the state to seize their personal assets
Speaking at the Colloquium for Judges of the Court of Appeal, Boko stated that the audit aims to strengthen Botswana’s institutions and improve their effectiveness. Boko cautioned that no one should assume that the government is bluffing, stating that they are “dead serious” about the initiative.
However, he acknowledged the challenge of determining where to begin, given the high cost associated with forensic audits. He estimated that the audit would require approximately USD 4.5 million (about P62 million) and would be conducted by international firms.
The decision to engage external experts stems from Botswana’s small size, where deep affiliations among citizens might raise concerns about impartiality and allegations of witch-hunts.
Boko affirmed that where the audit uncovers criminal conduct, legal action will be pursued. He emphasised the judiciary’s crucial role in addressing cases that may arise from the audit.
Boko also highlighted the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) evaluation, which indicated that Botswana has strong regulatory frameworks to combat illicit financial flows, money laundering, and
terrorism.
However, he noted that the effectiveness of the institutions enforcing these laws remains questionable.
“You said P100 billion was stolen, you then alleged the financing of terrorism. Now, we are looking at you,” Boko remarked, pointing out the implications of past allegations that have placed Botswana under scrutiny.
He questioned how a young Motswana could be accused of financing terrorism when the country has no identified terrorist organisations. He warned that such accusations threaten Botswana’s economic stability and development prospects.
Boko also noted a concerning decline in investor confidence, which has dropped by 26 percent. To counteract these risks, the government will ensure the audit is conducted at a reasonable cost while maintaining professional standards.
The audit will also incorporate advanced asset tracing, and recovery measures to demonstrate the government’s seriousness in combating corruption, illicit financial flows, and financial crimes.
“We count on the judiciary to ensure that these cases are addressed,” Boko said, emphasising that tackling corruption is essential for securing resources to develop the nation.
He criticised professionals entrusted with delivering key government projects, stating that many failed not due to incompetence but because they were compromised through corruption and bribery.
Boko lamented the widespread corruption, professional impropriety, and abuse of public office, which he said have had devastating consequences, including loss of lives and significant economic harm.
He stressed that all citizens have an obligation to contribute to economic growth and attract foreign direct investment to aid national development.
The President also took aim at Members of Parliament, criticising those who ask “frivolous” questions instead of focusing on legislation that would foster national progress.
He reaffirmed his vision for Botswana’s transformation, boldly declaring that within the next three years, the country will look completely different from its current state.
“I am affirming things that will come,” Boko concluded, signalling his administration’s determination to implement sweeping reforms for Botswana’s future.
Speaking in Parliament, President Boko stated that the forensic audit has asset-tracing capabilities to track stolen funds. He further mentioned that the forensic audit will begin in no more than two weeks.
Boko highlighted that a previous attempt to audit a government department had a quote of P250 million. However, this audit will cover the entire government, and given its scale, the government would need to spend billions to audit itself.
He revealed that, through negotiations with an international firm, the cost to audit the government and 30 state-owned enterprises would be around P60 million.
Additionally, Boko emphasiaed that stolen funds will be tracked and returned. He also warned both past and present ministers that, as holders of fiduciary positions, they could be held personally accountable if they defraud the state, with the potential for the state to seize their personal assets
