- The audit will cover from the period between 2014 – 2024
- It will be conducted by a Middle East firm at the cost of over P50 Million
- The audit to be done in phases
- Individuals and entities responsible for misconduct will face the consequences
President Duma Boko yesterday announced the official commencement of the much anticipated forensic audit aimed at assessing the functionality of government institutions, the appropriation and deployment of state resources, and the overall financial state of the country.
Addressing a press conference on issues of national interest, Boko revealed that the audit will look from 10 years back, and that is from 2014 to 2024.
He revealed that government has engaged Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) Middle East Limited from Dubai to conduct the audit at the cost of US$4 210 256.00 (which converts to over P50 million). As he has previously assured that the audit will be conducted by an independent, reputable and internationally accredited entity, Boko described the engaged foreign firm as the best of the best.
He indicated that the audit will be done in phases with the first one that will last for four weeks seeking to identify and assess corruption across government departments, develop a risk-based audit plan to combat corruption and provide data driven to to address corruption over time. Lastly, the first phase will also seek to conduct a comprehensive study of the financial performance of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs).
The second phase of the audit that will take nine months aims to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of government structures, assess adequacy of system to detect corruption and also to uncover instances of fraud, corruption and financial mismanagement.
The President added that second phase will further result in the identification of responsible parties with evidence and referral of cases of fraud and corruption to investigative units, assessment performance of regulatory authorities and the proposal of solutions to close down identified gaps.
According to Boko, the outcomes of the audit will include a detailed report identifying individuals and entities responsible for misconduct if any and recommendations for further action.
“The objective is not meant to attack anyone. We are doing so that we can correct things. We want to improve government institutions. We need to put our confidence back to Batswana,” the President assured.
Further assuring the effectiveness of the audit, Boko expressed confidence that in the present times when the use of technology has advanced there is now how evidence can be hidden without being traced.
Meanwhile, Boko announced members of the steering committee of the forensic audit, chaired by Moses Pelaelo alongside Tymon Katlholo, Mpaphi Phumaphi, Monty Chiepe and Aobakwe Moemedi. The working group chairperson is Batlhalefi Moeletsi who will be working alongside 5 other persons.
On a similar note, Boko has appointed a Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the liquidation of BCL Limited and its subsidiary (Tati Nickel) that is scheduled to commence in mid June this year. The commission will be led by Malcom Wallais, former Judge of the Supreme Court of South Africa.
Government shut down the BCL mine in October 2016 after the company made losses for several years leaving over 5,000 people unemployed. The inquiry will establish whether proper decisions were made when the mine was closed.
That as it may, Boko also announced the launch of Bonno Housing Scheme which has been transformed from the old programme known as Self Help Housing Agency (SHAA). He indicated that the renamed scheme targets to provide 100 000 housing units in five years further revealing that government has targeted to establish 3000 housing units at Kgale in Gaborone. Furthermore, the president revealed that the programme has been expanded to include government officers on D4 salary scale and below.
Still during the press conference, Boko revealed that government has taken a decision to reduce household water tariffs by 30 per cent to enable Batswana to pay their water bills. He however indicated that the tariffs for government institutions will be increased by 40 per cent.
