Afrobarometer, the think tank that conducts public surveys has last week released the results of public perceptions on corruption in Botswana.
Among other things, Batswana want a law on declaration of assets and want the president and officials to appear before Parliament to account for the policies and decisions taken by his government.
Other key findings of the survey include the fact that a majority (81%) of Batswana think that government officials are involved in corruption.
Additionally, 51% of Batswana say that corruption levels in Botswana have increased over past year.
84% of Batswana want the State President to appear before Parliament to account while 75% support a law on declaration of assets and liabilities.
All these findings by Afrobarometer are in essence really not a discovery.
We have always known that contrary to opinions ritually thrown at us by Transparency International, corruption in Botswana was alive and well.
We have known for some time now that Batswana were unable to make sense their political leaders’ refusal to come up with a law on assets and liabilities.
But still Afrobarometer’s statistics has left us gasping for air.
Just how can it be that a country that has for over ten years been characterized by the outside world like Transparency International produce such statistics that a paint a glaring picture of loss of confidence including on such holly cows like the judiciary?
Instead of polarizing the nation between those who say we told you so and those who rally to the defence, it is important that as a nation we look at the results of the Afrobarometer Survey as an opportunity for reflection and if possible action.
Corruption is an evil that threatens the fabric of this society.
Of course it’s difficult to mention public perceptions of corruption in the presidency without stoking up raw nerves.
Any mention of corruption in such high places conjures natural instinct of being in the opposition side.
The response, almost instinctively, is to rise to the defence by those who think it is their job to defend the President.
The truth though is that there can be no winners if we allow short sighted and parochial political divisions to dictate the public debate discourse on this immensely important issue.
We really have to address corruption, not only because it is killing our prospects as a country but also because the levels of corruption are behind rising tides of resentment, anarchy and despondency especially among our young people.
Some of these people would have graduated more than five years ago and they are still to get their first job.
Batswana have always prided themselves with their near spotless judiciary.
From the Afrobarometer, that too is changing and at an alarming pace.
Perceptions against such institutions like the Police may drive some to despair that such institutions have become irredeemable.
But we should not despair.
What we need to do is work at strengthening the economy so that there is no reason for widespread corruption.
We should also enhance transparency, enhance accountability and most of all evenly apply the rules.
