- – Land allocation, wildlife and tourism concessions, and road transport licensing named as the sectors most vulnerable to illegal manipulation
- – The anti-graft agency is currently tackling 101 active corruption files across the Maun region
- – Corruption reports across Botswana surged dramatically over three years, rising from 652 in 2023 to 957 in 2025
- – Officials state the spike shows citizens growing confidence in reporting wrongdoing
The Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) has red-flagged land allocation, tourism concessions, and road transport licensing as the most corrupted sectors in the Maun, Okavango and Chobe regions. DCEC Director General Botlhale Makgekgenene revealed that the anti-graft agency is currently wrestling with 101 active cases in the region, sparked by a massive national surge in citizens reporting financial wrongdoing.
Makgekgenene revealed this during a round table session with the media that was held in Maun this week.
She explained that the risks associated with land allocation, concessions, tourism-related processes and road transport licensing are peculiar to Maun region geographic area and require targeted interventions that respond to the corruption risks specific to the region.
For a long time, Tawana Land Board has been one of the institutions that faced severe public backlash and petitions over corruption, nepotism, and chronic land allocation backlogs.
Conflicts over the allocation and the management of wildlife and tourism concession in Ngamiland has also been a concern, stemming from competing commercial interests, tenure insecurity, and disputes between local community trusts, the Tawana Land Board, and private operators.
In this regard, Makgekgenene has shed light on corruption trends in Ngamiland, revealing that the Maun region is currently handling a total of 101 corruption cases, with 51 cases under investigation and 45 matters at the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) while five matters are before the courts.
“Our corruption prevention team is working on dealing with these risks or measuring their impact,” she said.
She noted that the corruption trends in Maun region reflects an active case pipeline from investigation through prosecution and adjudication, and underscores the importance of ensuring that corruption matters continue to progress through the criminal justice system.
“Our response must therefore be equally focused. The DCEC is strengthening prevention in identified high-risk areas, pursuing investigations, following financial flows and working with relevant institutions to address vulnerabilities within their systems. Our objective is not only to investigate corruption after the damage has been done, but to prevent loss, trace proceeds where crime has occurred and ensure appropriate accountability,” she said.
Nationally, the directorate has recorded an increase in corruption cases from 2023 up to 2025. Makgekgenene said that in 2023 the DCEC received 652 corruption reports, and in 2024 687 corruption reports were received while in 2025 the directorate received 957 reports.
Makgekgenene said that an increase in national corruption reports should not automatically be interpreted as an equivalent increase in corruption. She however, cited that the trend reinforces the need for vigilance, stronger prevention and continued confidence in reporting suspected wrongdoing. Makgekgenene added that this shows that the public is reporting issues of corruption.
Makgekgenene indicated that even nationally their analysis continues to identify public procurement, land allocation and road transport licensing among the areas requiring focused attention. She said the DCEC also encounter risks associated with procurement manipulation, conflicts of interest, abuse of office, and weaknesses in internal controls, falsification of information, money laundering and concealment of proceeds.
“When procurement is manipulated, government may pay more and receive less or receive substandard goods and services. When land processes are compromised, deserving citizens may be denied fair access. When licensing processes are abused, those who follow the rules may be disadvantaged. Think of the risks posed by a person who does not qualify to be a driver having a licence illegally. Ultimately, when public resources are diverted, service delivery and development suffer,” she said.
Makgekgenene emphasised the importance of keeping the public informed on issues of corruption, citing that the fight against corruption depends on citizens who are prepared to protect the integrity of the institutions and resources that belong to them.
“Corruption therefore affects all of us. Every Pula lost to corruption is a Pula that could have contributed towards services, opportunities and development for Batswana. We must all guard against allowing corrupt conduct to become normalised in our institutions and communities,” she said.
