DCEC officers’ transfers a big blunder - Boko
The withdrawals of the transfers does not cure the scandal by the President, PSP
Umbrella for Democ r atic Change ( UDC) President Advocate Duma Boko says the withdrawal of transfer letters of four DCEC officers does not in any way cure the scandal committed by President Mokgweetsi Masisi and the Permanent Secretary to the President.
He said what it has resulted in, is a chilling effect on any meaningful investigation against those higher up in government.
Boko’s utterances this week comes after the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime Director General Tymon Katholo revealed that the transfers were reversed.
OP through Acting Permanent Secretary to the President ( PSP) Emmah Peloetletse and Directorate of Public Service Management ( DPSM) Goitseone Mosalakatane had attempted to transfer senior officers at DCEC but the process was halted and ultimately reversed after Katholo raised concerns over the development with his superiors. Katholo revealed when appearing before the Public Accounts Committee ( PAC) that two officers at E2 who are Senior Assistant Directors were to be transferred at the instruction of the PSP while the other two who are at D1 were to be transferred at the instance of the DPSM. He revealed that the four who were earmarked for transfer would now remain at the agency. Transfer of senior officers at the agency has for some time raised eyebrows especially when the corruption busting agency is handling high profile cases.
At one instance officers were transferred from the DCEC at the time when the then PSP Cater Morupisi had corruption charges hanging over his head.
The current four who were earmarked for transfer when the current Acting PSP is said to be on the DCEC radar. There have been speculations of ulterior motives at the OP to have these officers transferred.
Addressing the media this week, Boko pointed out that the DCEC boss was horrified at this development. He said Katholo had not been consulted or informed of this decision.
“You should also know that two of the officers who were being transferred by the PSP obviously on instruction from and in collusion with the president of this country, were actively involved in investigations against the PSP herself in relation to some alleged corruption.
“It was only at the threat of court action by the officers who were being transferred that the letters were withdrawn,” Boko stated.
UDC has always argued that corruption in Botswana is institutionalised and normalised. Boko wondered on what basis is it deemed proper and acceptable for the president to participate in tenders and the acquisition of public assets in competition with ordinary citizens, which tenders are facilitated and adjudicated by public officers falling under the power and authority of the same president.
“DCEC officers now know that any investigation that intrudes into the lanes of some government officers poses a real and imminent danger of being transferred”.
Boko said the DCEC is a weak and totally ineffective institution.
According to the UDC leader the organisation lacks any independence to carry out any meaningful investigation into the rampant corruption in the country.