Comment: SONA: Very little said on corruption
Given the seriousness of corruption and its detrimental effects on the nation, one would have hoped that a significant portion of the State of the Nation Address ( SONA) by President Mokgweetsi Masisi this week would have dedicated a significant portion of time to giving detail on what government is currently doing to fight the scourge.
This is one of the critical issues that give credence to the lethargic response of the masses towards the SONA. Members of the public are tired - tired of hearing the same old narrative about corruption while nothing seems to be happening to get rid of it in both private and public institutions.
People have grown weary of talk and no action while corruption grows and deepens like gangrene. People want to hear something new, especially during such hard economic times that have dimmed their hopes of a brighter future. Couldn’t the president allay the fears of the nation and spend a little more time to appraise them on the current state of affairs regarding corruption in the country? Would it hurt to even indicate conviction rates if any over the past year? According to the Corruption Perception Index ( CPI) of Transparency International, Botswana has remained constant at a score of 61 percent for the past three years. Yes, granted, Botswana is hailed among the least corrupt countries in the world, but is this all we can talk about? In his SONA, President Masisi appealed to all to ensure that corruption in the country is effectively addressed. But some have in the past brought forward suggestions that they believe would help in addressing corruption and in ensuring that it is effectively addressed. For example, many have agitated for the freeing of the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime ( DCEC) from the executive clutches of the Office of the President ( OP) to become an independent autonomous body. How far is government for example, on its commitment to introduce a combination of new legislation and ethical codes including specific legislation on the Declaration of Assets and Liabilities to enhance transparency? Can these be fast- tracked to demonstrate government’s commitment to ending corruption? This is the reason that we still have some people who are vying for privileged positions in politics and business for the sole reason of self- aggrandisement. This is why many also believe that for you to be employed, or even assisted in public offices you need to either know someone who can do favours for you.
Recent developments of corrupt incidents are undermining the good report the country has always been known for. While the country remains at a reasonable low score of 61 percent, public perception increasingly acknowledges a high and increasing level of corruption among those entrusted to manage resources on their behalf.
Such efforts as government signing a Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU) with BOCONGO as mentioned by President Masisi, in an effort to help the country achieve international and continental obligations under the United Nations Convention Against Corruption and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption are all good, but more still needs to be done. Let good ethical behaviour be rewarded and recognised publicly and let those that are caught with their fingers in the cookie jar be punished severely so that excelling individuals become motivation to others.