Financial Crime World

Botswana’s Anti-Corruption Agency Conducts Public Opinion Surveys to Combat Graft

The Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC), Botswana’s premier anti-corruption agency, has conducted a public opinion survey to gauge citizens’ perceptions of corruption in the country. The 2017 survey aimed to provide qualitative information about public opinion regarding the level of corruption in Botswana, measure public confidence in the DCEC’s ability to combat corruption, and evaluate suggestions on how corruption can be reduced.

Public Opinion Survey

Under the Statistics Act of 2009, individuals selected from households are required by law to provide requested data. The survey results will help inform the DCEC’s anti-corruption strategies and programs.

Assignment Studies

The DCEC also conducts assignment studies to identify weaknesses in systems and procedures involved in a defined area of activity within an organization. These studies aim to recommend methods for improvement and ensure that the agency is effective in its fight against corruption.

Collaboration with Other Authorities

In addition, the DCEC works closely with other authorities dedicated to combating corruption, including the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP). However, the relationship between the two agencies has been problematic at times, with disagreements arising over prosecution decisions. The DCEC takes great pains to promote an anticorruption culture in all government agencies and collaborates with other oversight bodies, law enforcement agencies, and international organizations to achieve its objectives.

Ranking and International Collaboration

The agency’s efforts have not gone unnoticed, with Transparency International ranking Botswana 39th out of 176 countries in the Corruption Perceptions Index for 2016. The index measures perceived levels of corruption within a country’s public sector. The DCEC’s commitment to combating corruption is reflected in its ongoing collaboration with international organizations such as Interpol and the World Bank, which has provided technical assistance to support Botswana’s anti-corruption efforts.

References

  • Afrobarometer survey R2 2002/2003 (Botswana), Afrobarometer Online Database
  • Corruption and Economic Crime Act, 1994, No. 13, Parliament of Botswana (1994)
  • DCEC and DPP clash over prosecution of BMC graft accused, Rueben Pitse, Sunday Standard (2016)
  • Efficacy for fighting corruption: Evidence from 36 African countries, Thomas Isbell, Afrobarometer Policy Paper No. 41 (2017)
  • Ministry of Health Anti Corruption Policy, March 2013, Botswana Ministry of Health
  • Public attitudes toward democracy, governance and economic development in Botswana, Mogopodi Lekorwe et al, Afrobarometer Paper No. 14 (2001)

Note: The article has been rewritten to conform to the style of a media article, with references provided at the end for academic purposes.