- Say audit must cover the entire 58 years of BDP rule
- Note that engaging int’l experts will be costly but want audit still
GAZETTE REPORTER
Backbenchers of the ruling Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) have called for an expedited and inclusive forensic audit to trace the use of state funds over the years.
Speaking to The Botswana Gazette, the MP for Tonota, Gaefele Sedombo, expressed frustration at the delay in starting the work and emphasised that the audit must cover all previous presidents to identify gaps and safeguard resources for the party’s electoral promises.
“The audit should be expedited because a lot of projects have been suspended and we must be quick to avoid losing track of where the money went,” he said.
Crucial
The MP for Mogoditshane West, Galenawabo Lekau, acknowledged the financial burden of involving international experts but emphasised the importance of the audit.
“It is crucial because it can unlock funds, and the only way to recover such funds is to conduct this audit,” he said while admitting it might be challenging to cover all past presidents’ administrations.
The MP for Tlokweng, Phenyo Segokgo, expressed optimism, noting that President Duma Boko’s government has committed to engaging experts to recover looted funds.
“It is our hope and wish that this audit will not exclude anyone,” he said. “That is exactly what Batswana expect, and we should respect their wishes.”
Rampant corruption
The demand for a comprehensive audit follows President Boko’s announcement of plans to investigate state resource allocation over recent years, which he described as marked by rampant corruption.
Some lawmakers, such as the MP for Moshupa-Manyana Karabo Gare, have called for the investigation to cover the entire 58 years of Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) in power, highlighting incidents that implicated former president Ian Khama.
“The BDP ruled for 58 years and has had five presidents,” Gare emphasised. “My expectation is that this audit will not single out some and leave out others.”