KATHOLO STAMPS HIS AUTHORITY, ASSERTS DCEC INDEPENDENCE
We are gunning for politically exposed persons - DCEC Transfers undermined the independence of DCEC - Katholo
The Director General (DG) of the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC), Tymon Katholo, did not mince his words when condemning the recent transfers and promotions of DCEC and DPP officers handling high-profiled cases.
Government recently transferred among other officers Priscilla Israel, the lead prosecutor in the P100 billion money laundering case otherwise known as the Butterfly case.
Appearing before the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Wednesday, Katholo stamped his authority and categorically stated that although he could not comment on Israel’s transfer because it was on promotion, “some transfers will not be effected”.
He then went on to warn that a lot of staff movement at the DCEC may bring about instability, which would have the potential to bring about doubt in the operations of the DCEC.
“If we are serious about combating corruption, we need to observe certain protocols especially the operational independence of the DCEC,” Katholo said.
Issuing a stern warning to corrupt politically exposed persons, Katholo said the DCEC was gunning for them.
“We have been lacking in monitoring and scrutinising politically exposed people. This is where we had lost it. However, the fight is not completely lost. The attention of the DCEC is now focused towards that area,” he said.
The focus from now henceforth in terms of combating corruption will be on inter-agency cooperation in terms of investigation and prosecution. We will also focus on whistle-blowing protection; the amendment will be presented to parliament soon. The asset disclosure and declaration will also help in detecting illicit enrichment,” he said.
Asserting the independence of the DCEC, Katholo highlighted that he was protected by Section 43 of the constitution.
“If some processes are not followed, it would undermine the independence of the DCEC. Certain decisions were taken and those decisions affect certain activities within the DCEC.”