* Positions will cost over P486 million * DCEC is currently reviewing and amending the Corruption and Economic Crime Act, as well as the Whistleblowing Act
A total 2 586 positions amounting to P486, 681, 036 are being considered for creation through a combination of reallocating existing resources and rationalising vacancies within the Public Service.
State Minister, Kabo Morwaeng disclosed this when seeking Parliament's approval for a total allocation of P2 million to his ministry, citing the challenging economic conditions leading to a projected zero growth in the 2024/2025 financial year.
He said the new positions are aimed at facilitating the alignment of Botswana Government's operations with the Presidential Agenda, ensuring that the national transformation objectives are embedded within the public service.
Morwaeng cited the extensive government reforms being undertaken across all public institutions, including the recent completion of the rationalisation of Ministries and Departments and Agencies (MDAs) portfolios and mandates.
The approved structural adjustments are currently being implemented, necessitating, among other measures, including the creation of 33 District Commissioner positions within Morwaeng's ministry to enhance the efficient coordination of government services nationwide.
Speaking on the issue of corruption, Morwaeng said government remains steadfast in safeguarding Botswana's economic accomplishments as it strives for a transition to high-income status in the foreseeable future.
He added that the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) is resolute in its commitment to combat corruption and economic crimes by conducting thorough investigations and prosecuting corruption offences effectively.
"In this endeavour, the DCEC aims to enhance the legal framework to prevent and address corruption actively, fostering a society characterised by transparency, accountability, and ethical behaviour," he said.
He said the DCEC is currently reviewing and amending the Corruption and Economic Crime Act, as well as the Whistleblowing Act to address identified deficiencies. Despite these efforts, he acknowledged the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index (CPI) Report of 2023, which ranked Botswana among the top-performing countries globally.
The CPI assesses countries on a scale from 0 to 100, with 0 representing the most corrupt and 100 the least corrupt. Botswana's score of 59 positioned it at 39th out of 180 countries internationally and third in Africa, following Cape Verde (64) and Seychelles (71).
Morwaeng noted that although Botswana has performed well in the fight against corruption and governance, there is still room for improvement. He urged all citizens to actively engage in combating corruption to enhance Botswana's rankings and eradicate this scourge effectively.
To further bolster the country's reputation, several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were established with Anti-Corruption agencies in neighbouring nations like Namibia and Zimbabwe. These agreements have facilitated collaborative efforts among the agencies of the three countries, aimed at strengthening their respective anti-corruption initiatives.
He said in addition, in 2023, Botswana celebrated the 11-year anniversary of the Commonwealth Africa Anti-Corruption Centre (CAACC) on February 27th - 28th. CAACC is a regional institution providing capacity-building and research services to Anti-Corruption Agencies and their personnel across 21 Commonwealth Africa countries.
The centre's membership currently includes; Botswana, Cameroon, Eswatini, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, and Zambia.
He highlighted the significant contribution of the centre's work to Botswana's reputation as a country with a strong political will in combating corruption.
State Minister, Kabo Morwaeng disclosed this when seeking Parliament's approval for a total allocation of P2 million to his ministry, citing the challenging economic conditions leading to a projected zero growth in the 2024/2025 financial year.
He said the new positions are aimed at facilitating the alignment of Botswana Government's operations with the Presidential Agenda, ensuring that the national transformation objectives are embedded within the public service.
Morwaeng cited the extensive government reforms being undertaken across all public institutions, including the recent completion of the rationalisation of Ministries and Departments and Agencies (MDAs) portfolios and mandates.
The approved structural adjustments are currently being implemented, necessitating, among other measures, including the creation of 33 District Commissioner positions within Morwaeng's ministry to enhance the efficient coordination of government services nationwide.
Speaking on the issue of corruption, Morwaeng said government remains steadfast in safeguarding Botswana's economic accomplishments as it strives for a transition to high-income status in the foreseeable future.
He added that the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) is resolute in its commitment to combat corruption and economic crimes by conducting thorough investigations and prosecuting corruption offences effectively.
"In this endeavour, the DCEC aims to enhance the legal framework to prevent and address corruption actively, fostering a society characterised by transparency, accountability, and ethical behaviour," he said.
He said the DCEC is currently reviewing and amending the Corruption and Economic Crime Act, as well as the Whistleblowing Act to address identified deficiencies. Despite these efforts, he acknowledged the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index (CPI) Report of 2023, which ranked Botswana among the top-performing countries globally.
The CPI assesses countries on a scale from 0 to 100, with 0 representing the most corrupt and 100 the least corrupt. Botswana's score of 59 positioned it at 39th out of 180 countries internationally and third in Africa, following Cape Verde (64) and Seychelles (71).
Morwaeng noted that although Botswana has performed well in the fight against corruption and governance, there is still room for improvement. He urged all citizens to actively engage in combating corruption to enhance Botswana's rankings and eradicate this scourge effectively.
To further bolster the country's reputation, several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were established with Anti-Corruption agencies in neighbouring nations like Namibia and Zimbabwe. These agreements have facilitated collaborative efforts among the agencies of the three countries, aimed at strengthening their respective anti-corruption initiatives.
He said in addition, in 2023, Botswana celebrated the 11-year anniversary of the Commonwealth Africa Anti-Corruption Centre (CAACC) on February 27th - 28th. CAACC is a regional institution providing capacity-building and research services to Anti-Corruption Agencies and their personnel across 21 Commonwealth Africa countries.
The centre's membership currently includes; Botswana, Cameroon, Eswatini, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, and Zambia.
He highlighted the significant contribution of the centre's work to Botswana's reputation as a country with a strong political will in combating corruption.
