REPORT OF THE REGIONAL CONFERENCE ON CORRUPTION

and the Challenge of Economic Transformation in Southern Africa

18-20 JUNE 2018 GABORONE Report of the Regional Conference on Corruption and the Challenge of Economic Transformation in Southern Africa

1. Preamble institutions, with the objective to synthesize workable solutions to reduce if not eliminate corruption in order to foster inclusive economic transformation capable The Subregional Office for Southern Africa of the of addressing the socioeconomic problems brought Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the African about by corruption. Union Southern Africa Regional Office, in collaboration with the Botswana Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime, organized a regional conference on corruption and the challenge of economic 2. Attendance transformation in Southern Africa, in Gaborone from 18 to 20 June 2018. The African Union had declared The regional conference was attended by academics 2018 as the year of anti-corruption under the theme and researchers from universities and research “Winning the fight against corruption: a sustainable institutions from the following countries: Botswana; path to Africa’s transformation”. The conference was Congo; Kenya; Lesotho; Liberia; Mauritius; Malawi; centred on this declaration. The debates focused Mozambique; Namibia; Nigeria; Seychelles; South on the realization that the goal of economic Africa; Uganda; United Republic of Tanzania; Zambia transformation remains elusive, even though African and Zimbabwe. The participants and delegates leaders have crafted economic development included representatives of national anti-corruption blueprints, such as the Lagos Plan of Action and the institutions from the following member States of the Final Act of Lagos, the African Alternative Framework Southern African Development Community (SADC): to Structural Adjustment Programmes for Socio- Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Economic Recovery and Transformation, the New Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, United Republic of Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Agenda 2063. These initiative are bolstered by national development plans in different African countries. Some The following organizations were represented at the of the issues that have stalled African efforts at radical conference: African Peer Review Mechanism; African economic transformation are policy inconsistency, Union Commission; African Women’s Development governance challenges, leadership inertia and, more and Communication Network; Anti-Corruption Trust of importantly, corruption. There is mounting evidence Southern Africa; Botswana Centre for Public Integrity; that corruption, labelled in its varied forms as state Botswana Institute of Development and Policy capture and grand and petty corruption, is the root of Analysis; Center for Excellence International Consult; the resource haemorrhage from Africa, engendering Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa rent-seeking and unproductive behaviour, capital (COMESA); Commonwealth Africa Anti-Corruption flight, misallocation and misappropriation of scarce Centre; Deloitte; Electoral Commissions Forum of resources, missed investment opportunities, retarded SADC Countries; International Institute for Democracy growth, deteriorating social services, worsening and Electoral Assistance; Directorate on Corruption inequalities and a poor governance culture in African and Economic Offences (Lesotho); German Agency for economies. All of these undermine the goal of International Cooperaion; International Organization economic transformation in Southern Africa and in for Migration (IOM); Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Africa, in general. München; Malawi Revenue Authority; New African magazine; Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa; The regional conference has provided a platform for Pan-African Citizens Network; Ports Management rigorous intellectual debate and policy dialogue on the Authority for Eastern and Southern Africa; Ministry of issue of corruption in Southern Africa and how it could Public Enterprises (Namibia); Produce Africa; SADC; be addressed. The conference brought together high- SADC Council of Non-Governmental Organizations; calibre scholars, policymakers, political leaders, civil- Southern Africa Research and Documentation society organizations, and regional and international Centre, Transparency International (Zambia);

2 Report of the Regional Conference on Corruption and the Challenge of Economic Transformation in Southern Africa

Tyedo Investments; United Nations Development options Programme (UNDP) (Botswana); United Nations vii. Parallel sessions I, II and III: The economics of Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization corruption (UNESCO); (Botswana), as well as representatives viii. Parallel session IV: Illicit financial flows of media houses from Botswana, Eswatini, Malawi, ix. Parallel session IV: Public information and the Mauritius, Mozambique, South Africa, United Kingdom public sphere of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Zambia. x. Plenary session: Regional and national institutions Representatives of the following ministries and xi. Plenary session: Future perspectives departments of the Government of Botswana xii. Presentation of outcome statement attended the conference: Auditor General’s Office; Bank of Botswana; Botswana Unified Revenue Service; xiii. Closing ceremony Directorate of Intelligence and Security Services; Competition Authority of Botswana; Directorate of 4. Account of proceedings Public Prosecutions; Directorate on Corruption and i. Official opening Economic Crime; House of Chiefs; International Affairs and Cooperation; International Law Enforcement Academy; Investment, Trade and Industry; Mineral The opening session included: introductions of the Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security; dignitaries sitting at the main table; delivery of opening Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services; remarks by Nonofo Molefhi, Minister for Presidential Office of the Ombudsman; Presidential Affairs, Affairs, Governance and Public Administration; Governance and Public Administration; Transport and remarks by Said Adejumobi, Director of the Economic Communications; and Public Procurement and Asset Commission for Africa Subregional Office for Southern Disposal Board Africa and Auguste Ngomo, African Union Regional Delegate for Southern Africa and the Southern African The list of participants is in the annex. Development Community. Mokgweetsi E.K. Masisi, the President of the Republic of Botswana, officially 3. Programme of work opened the regional conference before the delivery of the keynote address by Amos Sawyer, former President The proceedings of the regional conference were of the Republic of Liberia. guided by the following agenda: The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of i. Official opening International Affairs and Cooperation, Gaeimelwe ii. Media briefing Goitsemang, introduced the guests: Mr. Molefhi; iii. Plenary session I: Conceptual and theoretical Mr. Masisi; Slumber Tsogwane, Vice-President of the issues Republic of Botswana; Mr. Sawyer; the Chief Justice iv. Plenary session II: Governance, politics and and; the Minister of Defence, Justice and Security; Mr. corruption Ngomo and Mr. Adejumobi. He also acknowledged the presence of the Permanent Secretary of the v. Round table discussion: Strengthening the Presidential Affairs Ministry, the Director General of the media in the anti-corruption crusade: constraints, Botswana Directorate on Corruption and Economic opportunities and challenges Crime, diplomatic missions, regional heads of anti- vi. Round table discussion: Building coalitions in corruption institutions in Southern Africa, permanent the fight against corruption: lessons and policy secretaries for various ministries in Botswana, senior

3 Report of the Regional Conference on Corruption and the Challenge of Economic Transformation in Southern Africa

academics, former Director Generals of Botswana judiciary system, and active media, civil society and Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime, and citizenry underpin the development of a corruption- other distinguished guests and participants free society. He said the regional conference sought to generate fresh ideas, perspectives and policy In his remarks, Mr. Molefhi emphasized that it was recommendations in addressing corruption in an honour for the Government of Botswana to host Southern Africa and the consultative meeting sought such a high-level regional event. He observed that to provide a platform for sharing experiences, best the presence of diverse stakeholders at the meeting practices and lessons learned. The goal was to increase would help in setting targets in the fight against the capacity of national anti-corruption institutions corruption in the region, and would facilitate the in Southern Africa. Furthermore, the consultative sharing and exchange of views, counsel, guidance meeting also sought to consider the establishment and direction in addressing its economic costs. The of a network of anti-corruption institutions in the Minister advised that Botswana was open to hosting region as a platform to strengthen the fight against such meetings as they enabled the country to learn corruption. from its peers. He implored participants to be candid, objective and truthful as they discussed corruption in Mr. Ngomo thanked the President and the Batswana their own countries and encouraged participants to people for the warm hospitality and for hosting the visit Gaborone and explore not only tourism facilities conference and the meeting and for Botswana’s but also business opportunities. outstanding record in fighting corruption. He noted that, although corruption had continued unabated, Mr. Adejumobi thanked the President and the notable progress had been made in combating it Government of Botswana for accepting to host the by Governments and non-State actors since the two meetings, which were jointly organized by the introduction of the African Union Convention on African Union Southern African Regional Office, the Preventing and Combating Corruption. He reminded Economic Commission for Africa Subregional Office the meeting that the African Union Assembly for Southern Africa and the Botswana Directorate on had declared 2018 as the “African year of anti- Corruption and Economic Crime. He also thanked Mr. corruption” based on the theme “Winning the fight Sawyer for accepting to be the keynote speaker. The against corruption: a sustainable path to Africa’s Director highlighted that Botswana had remained a transformation”. He emphasized that corruption beacon of hope in the fight against corruption because eroded the development of a universal culture of of its well-governed institutions and resources. The good governance, democratic values, gender equality African Union declaration of 2018 as the year of and respect for human rights, justice and the rule of anti-corruption meant that the meetings had a key law and that addressing corruption would support function to spotlight the scourge of corruption and its the development of Africa and accelerate the goal effects on growth and social welfare, in order to map of economic transformation. The two meetings workable solutions. Corruption accounted for poor had promoted the pollination of knowledge, policy development, accentuated poverty, ignited conflicts, debate and new recommendations on addressing retarded economic growth, undermined public and the problem of corruption in Southern Africa. The social services, and devalued the State and the people. events also promoted the sharing of experiences, In addition, good and progressive leadership can help lessons learned, best practices and the establishment in building strong institutions, diffuse the tensions of a network of national anti-corruption institutions in and risk-premium associated with the struggle for Southern Africa. Mr. Ngomo noted that, whereas 73 power and curb corruption in the State and society. per cent of SADC member States were globally ranked The promotion of fiscal transparency, open financial in the “low and medium corruption” perceptions governance, budget monitoring, capacity and relative group in Africa, 87 per cent of the States had declining autonomy for anti-corruption bodies and horizontal rankings and only 13 per cent were “stable” or better accountability institutions, a decent and honest off. Corruption was a man-made problem and

4 Report of the Regional Conference on Corruption and the Challenge of Economic Transformation in Southern Africa required the reinforcement of current tools, a changed against corruption through capacity-building and mindset and strengthened institutions. There is a exchanging information on best practices in anti- need for awareness as a way of creating active citizens’ corruption policies. Government ministries had participation in the fight against corruption. established anti-corruption committees, a sign of their seriousness to fight corruption. Furthermore, As he officially opened the regional conference, the the enactment of the Proceeds and Instruments President of the Republic of Botswana commended the of Crime Act and of the Whistle-Blowing Act had Economic Commission for Africa Subregional Office strengthened the anti-corruption framework in for Southern Africa and the African Union Southern Botswana. Botswana had established a Specialized African Regional Office for organizing the conference Corruption Court and was in the process of tabling a and for involving the Government of Botswana in bill on the declaration of assets and liabilities by top bringing together the participants. He expressed government officials. The meeting that Botswana was appreciation for the collaboration with the Directorate host to the Commonwealth Africa Anti-Corruption on Corruption and Economic Crime and for the Centre, serving Commonwealth countries in Africa. participation of anti-corruption institutions from the He concluded by welcoming expert advice to the rest of the SADC member States. The President stressed Botswana Government on public-sector reform that the diverse participation enabled stakeholders to with the view of achieving meaningful economic share knowledge and experience in the fight against transformation, while declaring the conference corruption and pledged his country’s zero tolerance officially open. on corruption, while noting that corruption impeded Mr. Sawyer commended the Government of Botswana the ability of Governments to carry out their mandate for hosting the conference and congratulated of facilitating social and economic development President Masisi on his ascendency to the Presidency. effectively and efficiently. The formation of national He also thanked the President for officially opening the anti-corruption institutions in Africa had shown the conference and for the warm hospitality. He observed strides made by African Governments in combating the progress made in Africa in ending autocratic the misallocation of resources and the distortion of Governments, entrenching constitutionalism, incentives, among other inefficiencies. SADC, through establishing independent legislatures and judiciaries, the SADC Protocol, was also committed to the fight introducing electoral democracy and creating space against corruption through the strengthening for civil-society activism. He noted the positive of mechanisms to detect, punish and eradicate and uneven results, but added that Africa had also corruption; and promote cooperation among the introduced market reforms and was seeking to States parties to ensure the effectiveness of anti- transform economies through industrialization to corruption initiatives in the public and private sectors. raise the living standards of the people. He indicated The heads of the anti-corruption agencies in Southern that the conference has presented an opportunity Africa had established a forum, the Southern African for the discussion of a major obstacle to economic Forum on Anti-Corruption, with the purpose of transformation – corruption and had noted that collaborating and implementing the provisions of the corruption affected institutions and processes of SADC Protocol on Corruption. The President reiterated governance. Its ugly head had undermined economic that Governments were expected to nurture sound development initiatives, perverted decision-making policies on governance, accountability, internal and processes, shifted resources away from productive audit controls and adherence to the rule of law and uses and contributed to the resilience of poverty prosecution of perpetrators of corruption. He further and disease in societies. Studies on corruption had advised that the fight against corruption must involve recommended a holistic approach to the fight against all stakeholders including State and non-State actors, corruption through understanding institutional flaws such as the private sector, civil-society organizations, and their effect in creating perverse incentives as academia and the media. The President advised that well as how people who acted badly perverted weak provision of expert advice was essential in the fight

5 Report of the Regional Conference on Corruption and the Challenge of Economic Transformation in Southern Africa

institutions. The synergies of weak institutions across Finally, Mr. Sawyer highlighted that the challenge for government departments had created a culture of the public service was to strengthen professionalism, corruption. Accordingly, the fight against corruption autonomy and merit-based structures in the civil had to revamp governance in all levels of government. service and to instil them, through knowledge and Good-quality governance had ensured that processes demonstrated leadership, a developmental ideology and actors performed their duties with accountability, or mindset, and a commitment to the execution transparency and in an inclusive manner. The of the development agenda without demanding conference would discuss ways of improving unflinching partisan loyalty from civil servants. A institutions and key individuals. He explained the partisan public service was susceptible to corruption critical role of political parties, the legislature and the and deterioration of standards in the public service, executive in the fight against corruption, but he also which would afflict poor people. said that the public service had specific undesirable traits which had perpetuated corruption and must be The former President underscored the importance managed. of civil-society organizations in the fight against corruption and argued that African civil-society Mr. Sawyer observed that the accountability, organizations needed to be given more space and transparency and the inclusive nature of political responsibility in that fight. They should be empowered parties were all important in dealing with corruption to take the lead in building the knowledge base and and inculcating the values of a corruption-free society. skills of Africans so that the population would be more This was because of the critical role that political informed as they participate in ensuring accountability parties played in governance, including their internal and transparency in governance. The media were governance, the selection of leaders and candidates, equally important in the fight against corruption. the role of women in governance, how the parties nurture young members and activists, the nature of He observed that the African Peer Review Mechanism party ideology, their strategies for mobilizing funds was an important platform in the fight against and their transparency in expenditure of funds. corruption and had potential to improve the quality of governance on the continent further than the solid Mr. Sawyer emphasized that the legislature was an contribution it was currently making. The Forum of important institution for promoting accountability and Heads of State and Government under the African good governance and implementing public policy in Peer Review Mechanism was a unique platform for countries with democratic systems of governance critical but respectful and collegial review of the that were characterized by the separation of powers. performance of African Governments from which He underscored that an independent legislature issues of corruption could be discussed and tackled free from partisan politics was adept in promoting In his concluding remarks, Mr. Sawyer observed sound governance structures capable of observing that weak institutions and weak processes of State commendable transparency and accountability. governance produced perversities that cultivated Mr. Sawyer then underscored the importance of the corrupt acts. He emphasized, as a result, that leaders executive in the anti-corruption crusade, noting that must respect the rule of law and maintain strength the executive must act to promote good governance of character, the vision and the will to do the right and remain ethical in the conduct of its duties to thing in ensuring that institutions were strengthened. build a culture of reduced corruption. Failures and It would take the combined and sustained efforts of perversities that could result if the institutional and actors at the local, national, subregional and regional individual prerogatives of the executive were abused levels and in all domains of governance, including and misused could do greater harm in the governance the political, cultural and social realms, to develop a system than failures and perversities caused in any culture of good governance and to sustain the fight other single source of governance authority. against corruption.

6 Report of the Regional Conference on Corruption and the Challenge of Economic Transformation in Southern Africa

After the official opening, the conference proceeded governance and the business environment. In line into plenary and parallel sessions (based on specific with the reinforcement, punishment and extinction themes) and round table discussions on various ideology, the discussants called for strong institutions matters around corruption. The details of these and legislation that could help in the fight against sessions follow. corruption. They said that a lasting reduction could be made in corruption if there were more resources for ii. Media briefing the fight against it, better political will, mapping of the sectors affected by corruption, lessons drawn from A media briefing was organized so that representatives best performers, and engaging of a unified, inclusive from the media houses could pose questions to the and comprehensive force in the harmonization and high-level delegates present, including from the localization of the fight against corruption. They Government of Botswana and the organizers of the emphasized that the promotion of accountability, meeting from the Economic Commission for Africa transparency, rule of law and the participation of Subregional Office for Southern Africa and the African citizens remained key in levelling the business playing Union Southern African Regional Office. field, promoting regional integration and cutting the cost of doing business. iii. Plenary session I: Conceptual and theoreti- cal issues on corruption In the ensuing discussions, the participants emphasized that measurements of corruption needed to be revisited to incorporate new forms of the vice. Two papers were presented during this session, Anti-corruption institutions needed to be properly which was chaired by an officer from the Economic resourced and empowered to deliver their mandate Commission for Africa Subregional Office for and they should be insulated from interference by Southern Africa. The papers included outlines on, politicians. the conceptual issues around corruption and its effects on development and good governance iv. Plenary session II: Governance, politics and analyses of the impact of corruption using theoretical corruption settings regarding reinforcement, punishment and extinction ideology. The presentations showed that corruption was worsening in the region based on The session was chaired by a professor from the various corruption metrics and the dimensions and University of Mauritius, Sheila Bunware, and included magnitudes of corruption scandals in most Southern the presentation of four papers anchored by two African countries. During the session, it was noted discussant interventions. that the most common causes of corruption were The four papers dealt with the politics associated to maximize one’s own well-being, the “grabbing with governance and corruption and contained hand” theory1, rent appropriation, implicit rules, lack lessons pertaining to the subject matter from Lesotho, of transparency, and unrestrained power or power South Africa and Zambia. The institutionalization concentration. of corruption in Lesotho was noted to be a result The discussants, Mr. Gideon G. Jalata and Mr. Garth of partisan politics and abuse of executive powers. Le Pere, stressed the need to define corruption as a Institutionalized corruption was labelled as the prime plague not only in the public sector but also in the cause of poor service delivery in the civil service. private sector. They both noted that corruption Presentations about South Africa showed the negative had had a negative effect on the socioeconomic effect of the dominance of one political outfit on local status of African countries and was a global threat to governance, the shortfalls of the Zuma administration

1 A branch of public-choice theory advanced by Andrei Shleifer (Harvard University) and Robert Vishny (University of Chicago) in 1998 which portrays Government not as a “helping hand” to development but as controlled by politicians who “do not maximize social welfare and instead pursue their own selfish objectives”.

7 Report of the Regional Conference on Corruption and the Challenge of Economic Transformation in Southern Africa

with respect to the abuse of executive powers and its members reflected on the constraints faced by the effect on entrenched corrupt tendencies in all facets media in different countries, identified opportunities of governance, as well as the case of “state capture” to remedy the challenges and explored new ways and by the Gupta family. During the session, it was also means of investigating and reporting corruption. The noted that corrupt leadership affected investment following questions were used to guide the round- ratings, and in that way corruption took its toll on the table discussion: economy and stock markets. Partisan appointments devoid of merit also undermined efficiency in all levels i. How do you assess the role and performance of of governance. Using the example of widespread the media in fighting corruption? land acquisition in Zambia, it was observed that ii. What challenges confront the media in fighting weak governance structures and poor information corruption? dissemination sustained land corruption in Zambia. iii. How does media ownership affect the actions whereas corrupt tendencies in Lesotho were linked to or inactions of media practitioners in the fight politicized public-service staffing. against corruption? The discussants, Mr. Abdul Lamin and Mr. Munetsi Madakufamba, echoed the need for apt governance iv. How do you see State media relations in your as the solution to institutionalized corruption. country and how does this affect the media’s role in fighting corruption? The participants echoed the observations of the discussants and called for the development of v. How does corruption affect the media internally? another measure or metric for measuring corruption Are there cases of corrupt media practitioners, that captured areas that had not been incorporated in and how are these handled? the existing measures of corruption, as corruption had continued to become more complicated. They noted vi. What kind of partnership is necessary for the media that corruption was costly for countries struggling to strengthen its capacity in fighting corruption? with inadequate resources to finance socioeconomic vii. What are your preferred policy recommendations development and that it needed to be rooted out. for strengthening media capacity in the fight They said that people found to be corrupt should against corruption? be punished and that the punishment should be severe enough to be a deterrent. They alluded to a The panel members stated that the primary role of the continued rise in corruption, despite the creation of media was to inform, educate and provide a platform numerous institutional frameworks and institutions in for debating issues of national interest and checks all countries. and balances on issues around politics, public service, corruption and governance. Although the outcome v. Plenary round-table discussion on stren- of such reporting varied from one country to another, gthening the media in the anti-corruption the panellists noted that ministers, presidents and crusade: constraints, opportunities and chal- lenges other public officials were either dismissed from their jobs or had voluntarily vacated their offices after the media had publicized financial, bribery or corruption This round table discussion was chaired by Mr. Anver scandals involving them. They shared a list of examples Versi, Editor of New African Magazine. It included of ministers, prime ministers and former presidents six media practitioners from media houses in who either were let go or resigned because of the Southern Africa. The participants discussed the key media. The measures by which people could judge role the media played in exposing corruption and whether the media made a fair contribution in the the challenges associated with that role. The panel fight against corruption were unbiased reporting on

8 Report of the Regional Conference on Corruption and the Challenge of Economic Transformation in Southern Africa corruption and investigative work done by journalists. affected by the form of ownership, including whether it The media kept the public informed through daily and was publicly or privately owned. Private media owners weekly newspapers, online platforms, web, radio and and practitioners were criminalized if their media videos, and through media houses’ active presence on houses reported corruption in the Government. In all social media platforms. In that way, journalists and addition, death threats had been issued to journalists, media houses could keep the pressure on until public and in most African countries, there were cases when opinion joined in and demanded the resignation of journalists were actually killed. That had pressured those involved in alleged acts of corruption. some journalists towards self-censorship and exile. By contrast, when Government had owned the media, Despite the good work by the media in fighting journalists had tended to be more aligned with the corruption, panellists identified common challenges Government and mostly biased against exposing that the media faced, including: harassment, corruption in the public sector, although that was not intimidation, denial of government advertising always the case. Effectively, public and private media opportunities, defamation of journalists, and played different roles in the fight against corruption, exhausting journalists through court cases that were with privately owned media being more active. often dismissed by the justice system as frivolous. Major opportunities in reporting corruption had risen Furthermore, government interference often from collaborating with law-enforcement agents compromised corruption investigations by the media, and the judiciary through using skills in investigative as did criminalizing searches by journalists and others journalism to unearth corrupt actions. It was important looking for incriminating information. However, that journalists coordinated their work, as corruption potential whistle-blowers were motivated to supply crossed national frontiers, for example in the case of leads if a journalist established a reputation for being “the platinum card scandal”,2 which involved various candid and showed that he or she had the ability to Southern African players and led the former President protect his or her sources. In addition, corrupt media of Mauritius to resign. Publishing articles on specific personnel had remained a major challenge and stalled corruption cases simultaneously in different countries objective reporting that was free of bias. The panellists helped to pressurize Governments in various parts of hinted that corruption should be restrained from the region and Africa to act. Such evidence is shared creeping into the media as it distorted objective and with law-enforcement agencies in cases where legal authentic reporting, and breached media ethics and action is appropriate. best practices, thereby concealing corruption and its consequences. Panellists stressed the need for fearless The panellists reiterated that the contribution of the reporting that would be devoid of bias and favouritism media could best be harnessed if the media were in order to expose corruption. They said that major independent, observed professionalism, avoided threats remained political and economic ostracization bribes and formed coalitions with law-enforcement from the political parties, stringent media laws, culture agents and the judiciary. They noted that the source and tradition, and inadequate funding. The panellists of funding of the media had the potential to skew narrated case-studies of governments harassing reporting. The panellists recommended that security journalists or subjecting them to intimidation and false should be provided to investigative journalists, allegations designed to silence them. Despite that, the especially in volatile and violent environments. The media had remained strong and resolute in exposing media could also push for independent institutions corruption in most countries in Southern Africa. that could take a stand against corruption if the media reported malpractices in the way government With regards to funding or ownership, the panellists institutions were constituted. emphasized that the integrity of the media was

2 The scandal was around spending on a platinum credit card given to former Mauritian President Ameenah Gurib- Fakim by a science foundation linked to an Angolan businessman, Alvaro Sobrinho. It led to her resignation as President.

9 Report of the Regional Conference on Corruption and the Challenge of Economic Transformation in Southern Africa

Participants observed that independent media Forming inclusive coalitions was the only way to institutions were in a better position to expose curb corruption under those circumstances. The corruption compared to partisan institutions. They participation of the general public, political parties, called for strengthened independence of the media. Governments and civil-society organizations could They also argued that Governments must demand enhance the fight against corruption. Such coalitions transparency in the way media were owned to strike a could be formal or informal, communicated or balance in the reporting. Media regulators should be uncommunicated. However, it was noted that it independent. The meeting encouraged media houses was sometimes not easy to forge coalitions because to have internal ethical and integrity systems with economies were normally divided into the private clear code of conduct and ways of addressing conflicts and the public sectors and civil-society organizations. of interest and treatment of gifts and presents, in Organizations in each of these sectors had pursued order to build credibility and ensure fair and unbiased different, and sometimes opposing, objectives, which reporting on corruption. The participants reiterated made it difficult to design and implement a common the important role of the media in reporting cases of agenda for fighting corruption. corruption and in fighting the vice. The panellists raised the need to raise resources to fund coalitions. They said that joining coalitions vi. Round-table discussion: Building coalitions in the fight against corruption, lessons and should be an informed decision for all the parties policy options involved. Coalitions remained critical, as some sectors of society were not informed on issues related to corruption and they needed to be educated about This round table was chaired by Mr. Adebayo Olukoshi corruption and become more aware of it before they from the International Institute for Democracy and would participate in the fight against corruption. Electoral Assistance. The panellists were drawn from a Looking forward, because corruption had become wide spectrum of organizations engaged in fighting multifaceted, coalitions consisting of citizens, the corruption, including Transparency International media, civil-society organizations, the Government (Zambia), and also included top experts from sociology and the legal system might do better at fighting the and citizen networks. They noted the remarks from vice. It was noted in the round-table discussion that Mr. Sawyer on the need to wield a consolidated front coalitions could also involve other Governments to fight corruption and discussed key coalitions that and anti-corruption institutions, given the need to could be forged and the various forms such coalitions stop transnational corruption, including cross-border could take, as a new way of fighting corruption. The money laundering, illicit financial flows and smuggling gist of the discussion was that fighting corruption of goods. It had then become the prerogative of while operating in separate silos had failed to yield the stakeholders in the fight against corruption to the needed result, namely an environment free of determine the form and type of coalition that was corruption. relevant to their own circumstances.

The panel members stressed that corruption was In the ensuing discussions, the participants reiterated becoming more complex as many sectors had become the importance of the collaboration of all stakeholders intertwined. Corruption had spread into the judiciary, at national and regional levels to intensify the fight management of the environment, the financial sector, against corruption. Although building coalitions including money laundering and illicit financial flows, against corruption could be expensive, participants pharmaceuticals, the police service and the education were of the view that by facilitating the pooling of sector. It was not limited to those sectors. As new forms resources and expertise, coalitions could efficiently of corruption were developed that were previously and effectively tackle corruption in the private and unknown to authorities, anti-corruption bodies public sectors. were always lagging behind the new developments.

10 Report of the Regional Conference on Corruption and the Challenge of Economic Transformation in Southern Africa

vii. Parallel session I: The economics of corrup- The discussants commended the efforts of the tion authors, though they requested more insight into the methodologies used as a way to improve the quality The panel, chaired by Mr. Garth Le Pere, was informed of the findings. Various measures of corruption were by four papers, which were focused on: corruption also recommended as a way of validating the studies, and economic development in the Southern African which had been based on the Corruption Perceptions Development Community (SADC); corruption, public Index. Participants took the view that, although the investment and economic growth; public spending index was indicative, more rigorous methodologies on governance institutions and development were needed to measure the levels of corruption in effectiveness; as well as the causality dynamics of both the public and private sectors. They concurred corruption and economic growth in Zimbabwe. that corruption adversely affected economic growth and development both directly and indirectly. In one of the papers, it was noted that using the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI)3 had improved the Parallel session II: The economics of corruption understanding of corruption significantly as the Index The session was informed by four papers, which indicated how a lower level of perceived corruption explored the link between corruption and economic could be linked to better economic growth. It performance. Ms. Maureen Achieng Akena chaired could show that low levels of corruption enhance the session, and Mr. Ghebre Meskel and Ms. Delice the attractiveness of a country to foreign direct Zakeyo were the discussants. investment (FDI) and that a Government’s oversight had to be aimed at lowering corruption at all levels The papers were focused on: taxation, foreign aid and of governance in order to boost growth as a result of governance; corruption and unemployment; foreign foreign investment. aid and corruption in Malawi; and the determinants of corrupt practices in public procurement in the United A key point underlined in the paper on public Republic of Tanzania. The emerging issues and general spending on governance underlined that insufficient observations from those presentations emphasized expenditure on those institutions undermined their the need for new laws or better enforcement of existing effectiveness. The key message of the paper was that, tax policies and strategies. The presenters observed while transparency in budget allocations did not that the subregion had sufficient instruments and guarantee better outcomes, better quality governance frameworks, including whistle-blower policies. to fight institutions could create an enabling environment for corruption, but it had lacked capacity to effectively efficient utilization of public funds. implement them. They added that anti-corruption institutions across the SADC region were not effective The paper on corruption, public investment, and because of apparent executive interference. They also economic growth showed that corruption was most observed that the stringent conditions tied to foreign prevalent in cases in which other forms of institutional aid bred corruption as authorities tried to “beat the inefficiency were present, such as bureaucratic red system”. tape and weak legislative and judicial systems. Such inefficiencies had affected not only investment but After the presentations, the discussion covered the also economic growth. The paper on the causality need to evaluate the role of aid in the fight against dynamics of corruption in Zimbabwe showed the corruption in order to avoid perverse incentives which short-term relationship between corruption and block mobilization of domestic resources. In other economic growth. It was also notable that past words, aid should not discourage local taxation but corruption affected current economic growth, so the complement it. Given the abuse of aid by government Government needed to stamp out corruption today officials, during the ongoing discussion, public officials if leaders want the economy to flourish in the future. were called upon to declare assets and income 3 Published by Transparency International.

11 Report of the Regional Conference on Corruption and the Challenge of Economic Transformation in Southern Africa

truthfully before and after serving public office. Where as well as the use of technology, were matched with a government officials were complicit in corrupt acts, resultant decline in corruption levels. The author of the penalties should be strengthened, while ensuring that paper on tax administration and corruption in Malawi proceeds of crime were forfeited to the State through noted that political interference, neopatrimonialism5 asset recovery. Other divergent views aired during this and weak legislation were key factors fuelling session were premised on factors that impeded SADC corruption in tax administration. member States from implementing conventions on corruption. It was stated that it was necessary to The paper on ethics and accountability in supply- incorporate not only legal perspectives but also ethical chain management indicated that there were dimensions when fighting corruption. The participants inadequate systems to identify and disclose irregular emphasized that citizens, local communities and the expenditure, and the performances of providers media should be empowered to engage effectively and contractors were not monitored. As a result, in the fight against corruption. They said that women allegations had remained rampant of fraud, corruption should be included in all strategies for combating and improper conduct in supply-chain processes and corruption in order that effective outcomes could be internal controls were ineffective, thereby weakening realized. Participants lamented the inability of anti- economies. The presenter recommended that corruption institutions to discharge their functions ethical conduct and accountability be promoted in fully and ascribed that to such factors as interference supply-chain management to underpin economic from the political establishment and the general lack transformation. The presenter of the paper on of technical and financial capacity. corruption and mineral exploitation in Mozambique highlighted that the mineral “blessing” remained a viii. Parallel session III: The economics of cor- “curse” because secrecy around mining rights meant ruption that individuals could accumulate wealth, but there was less benefit to the general development of the country. The author on the relevance of African This session was chaired by Ms. Louise Penna sociocultural values in the fight against corruption Shixwameni and was informed by five papers. The emphasized that social values, cultural values and discussants were Mr. Karuti Kayinga and Mr. Festus self-efficacy were significant factors in influencing Odubajo. The papers included in-depth discussions on transparency, accountability and ethical compliance following: the evidence on corruption and economic in curbing corruption in public procurement. progress in sub-Saharan Africa; tax administration and corruption in Malawi; exploring the directives of ethics The discussants echoed the need to enact and enforce and accountability in supply-chain management; strict laws on public procurement, management of corruption and its connection with exploitation of value chains, taxation and contracting in order to mineral resources and economic development; and promote transparency and accountability. Participants the relevance of African sociocultural values in curbing reiterated the link between poverty and tendencies to corruption. Given the controversy4 as to whether carry out corrupt practices and argued that raising corruption has a “sanding” or “greasing” effect on the standards of living required that the incidence of wheels of economic growth, reviews of evidence from corruption in the region be minimized. They called for sub-Saharan Africa showed that corruption adversely the efficient allocation of resources to sectors, which affected growth despite the varying degrees of can underpin development and create jobs. corruption among the countries. The costs linked to investigating, monitoring and punishing corruption,

4 It has been suggested by some authors that corruption “greases the wheels” of growth in situations of bad governance, by facilitating trade that otherwise may not have happened and helping people to overcome obstructive regulations. However, many studies claim that corruption “sands the wheels” and has a negative impact on investment, human capital accumulation, growth and other measures of progress. 5 Neopatrimonialism occurs when patrons use State resources to win loyalty from clients who are part of the general public. 12 Report of the Regional Conference on Corruption and the Challenge of Economic Transformation in Southern Africa ix. Parallel session: Illicit financial flows arsenal of tools for executing illegal financial flows, but also because that technology would remain and Mr. Andre Mangu chaired this session, in which five would forever be used in “laundering” money across papers were presented. The discussants were Mr. borders. Check Achu and Ms. Margaret Sengwaketse. The following topics were covered in the papers: causes Participants commended the authors for the and economic links; assessment of the effect of illicit focus on illegal financial flows and observed that financial flows in the diamond and platinum mining African countries were being denied development sectors; domestic resource mobilization through opportunities because of the illegal outflow of financial curbing illegal financial flows; addressing money resources. They called for collaboration in fighting laundering in Kenya; and the future of corruption in this vice. They also observed that the illegal outflow Africa. of financial resources from resource-rich countries In the papers, it was noted that corruption and money continued to be more complicated and accordingly, laundering were not mutually exclusive but that they countries needed to enhance their capacity to detect reinforced each other. Accordingly, people could not and prosecute such crimes. effectively tackle one without the other. It was also argued that the fight against illegal financial flows should not be focused only on the public sector but x. Parallel session: Public information and the it also be directed to the private sector. Furthermore, public sphere it was noted that the channels of transmission and the destination of those flows, including existing tax Mr. Innocent Bayai from the Economic Commission for havens, should be identified in order to reduce the Africa Subregional Office for Southern Africa chaired flows. The authors noted that, at a practical level, the session, in which five papers were presented the proceeds from illegal financial flows were not and discussed by Mr. Alouis Chaumba and Mr. Botho ploughed into communities through donations or Seboko. The papers were mainly centred on the use so-called support to community projects. In the of information in exposing corruption and using the paper on diamond and platinum mining, it was evidence in prosecutions of corrupt people. They shown that Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and contained supporting evidence that corruption Zimbabwe were affected by the misinvoicing of generated a trail of information, which could be used diamonds and platinum. Coordination at the country to initiate investigations and to build strong cases level was identified as a potent tool in fighting illegal against corrupt individuals. financial flows. In that regard, enabling interministerial coordination was mooted as a way of engaging The presenters observed that citizen journalism and stakeholders in curbing illegal financial flows and the use of social media had enabled the powerless to promoting transparency around mineral investment. express their concerns and share information about corruption wherever they were, and that this was In their interventions, the discussants noted that important in the fight against corruption. They also illegal financial flows were caused by corruption, highlighted the importance of keeping records and illegal exploitation of national resources and tax advised that appropriate management of records in evasion. They said that plugging loopholes would help government offices enhanced good governance and curb illegal financial flows and that the region was should be promoted. Suggestions were made on increasingly losing resources through illegal financial how to ensure that the records were kept in formats flows, which had negatively affected economic that were not easily destroyed. The presenters further growth. The discussants noted that going forward, highlighted that good governance directly imposed Governments need to gain an understanding about a business environment free of corruption and thus “cyber-laundering” not only because it was a new reduced the costs associated with navigating a corrupt

13 Report of the Regional Conference on Corruption and the Challenge of Economic Transformation in Southern Africa

environment. The manner in which information about of the Court in fighting corruption. If the Court was corruption was presented and disseminated had weak, did that mean that national anti-corruption implications for the effectiveness and impact of the institutions were also weak? The participants fight against corruption. With regard to the education concluded by stating that poor political will to sector, the presenters alluded to corruption in the support anti-corruption institutions, meagre funding, sector and called for action to bring integrity back politicization6 of appointments and the lack of to institutions of higher learning in order to enable confidence in the same establishments were major proper training of learners. threats to the ability to stamp out corruption. The key recommendations included the establishment The discussants observed that there was a need to of independent institutions that were properly harness the strength and power of information in constituted with regard to both personnel and legal the public and private sectors as a way to expose existence. Fiscal autonomy was identified as a key corruption. In that respect, crafting explicit and clear foundation to amplify the independence of anti- laws and innovative ways to disseminate corruption corruption institutions so that they could execute information were important. Deductively, courts and their duties without political alignment. investigators were encouraged to tap into the various The participants applauded the establishment of anti- information sources in their continuing quest to corruption institutions in the regional member States unravel corruption. and called for the strengthening of their mandate and capacity. They also reiterated the need for xi. Parallel session III: Regional and national institutions formal collaboration among stakeholders in fighting corruption. Five papers were presented in the session covering xii. Parallel session III: Future perspectives the role played by regional and national institutions in the fight against corruption and how to tackle related Acknowledging the trends, the causes, effects and issues. The chair was Mrs. Sabina Seja, a board member problems associated with the fight against corruption, of the African Union Advisory Board on Corruption. the session focused on the way forward to reduce if Mr. Simal Amor and Ms. Joella Marron were the not eliminate corruption. Mr. Peterson Dewah from discussants. On the role of SAD in the fight against the National University of Science and Technology corruption, it was noted that the SADC secretariat had (Zimbabwe) chaired this session in which five papers limited capacity to enforce protocols or conventions were presented and discussed by Mr. David Mohale on corruption and was also not able to investigate, and Mr. Israel Kehinde Ekanade. report and prosecute offenses related to corruption. The operationalization of a multi-stakeholder front In the ensuring discussion, the need to act against composed of State and non-State actors, formation corruption was stressed and that Africa must of transnational alliances and capacitating the eliminate corruption to overcome its adverse effects SADC secretariat would go a long way in restraining on socioeconomic development was reiterated. corruption. Another presenter supported that notion Exciting proposals were presented as means of and stated that the SADC Protocol Against Corruption reducing corruption, including valuing the cultural could adjudicate corruption at the subregional level set-up, securitization of corruption and activating through addressing the gaps in national structures anti-corruption initiatives in the private sector. Setting meant to fight corruption. The presenter questioned in motion the rule of law, promoting transparency whether the African Criminal Court had provided a and forming coalitions amongs stakeholders were the solution to corruption. Problems, such as funding, major issues of discussion. lack of political will and a weak legislative framework in the African Union, limited the operationalization

6 Partisan appointments that lack independence.

14 Report of the Regional Conference on Corruption and the Challenge of Economic Transformation in Southern Africa

Participants called for a multi-faceted approach, v. Participants argued that, in some cases, involving the media, civil society, unbiased judiciary stringent conditionalities tied to foreign aid and law-enforcement agents. They stated such were the breeding ground for corruption as an approach would make significant progress in Governments tried to “beat the system” by fighting corruption and that the collaboration of all using underhand dealings; stakeholders at national, regional and international vi. Participants argued that the penalties for levels was important in the fight to stem corruption. corruption should be high enough to be an xiii. Presentation of outcome statement effective deterrent to discourage corruption and that the proceeds of corruption should be forfeited to the State; Staff from the Economic Commission for Africa’ Subregional Office for Southern Africa presented the vii. Participants noted that corruption and money outcomes of the deliberations. They reported that laundering were not mutually exclusive, but the meeting participants had acknowledged the that they reinforced each other; accordingly, multiplicity of issues raised in plenary deliberations in order to tackle illicit financial flows, it and in discussions during round tables and parallel was necessary to identify the channels of sessions. The participants had made observations transmission and the destination of those under several broad thematic areas and proffered flows, including tax havens; recommendations in three specific areas. viii. Participants called for the development of A. On the levels and impacts of corruption: another metric for measuring corruption that captured areas not incorporated in existing i. Participants observed that corruption was measures of corruption, since corruption worsening and had become endemic in continued to become more complicated; Southern Africa despite the creation of numerous institutional frameworks and ix. Participants observed and recommended institutions to combat the vice; that citizens should be appalled by corruption and that emotion could spur greater action to ii. Participants underscored that corruption tackle it; undermined socioeconomic development efforts, including the attainment of the goals x. Participants called for society to regard anti- and aspirations of Agenda 2063, Agenda corruption as a public good and vice versa 2030 for Sustainable Development, and other and accordingly, it should be a norm of society national and regional developmental visions, for all stakeholders to demand a society free because of the misdirection of human and of corruption; financial resources; xi. Participants emphasized that stakeholders iii. Participants observed that combating should build a workplace culture that stressed corruption in all its various forms was essential corruption-free practices and promoted an for the eradication of social injustices and for environment free of corruption. socioeconomic transformation; B. On anti-corruption institutions and institutional iv. Participants noted that corruption raised frameworks: the cost of production, increased marginal i. Participants noted that, although national tax rates and raised the cost of goods and anti-corruption institutions and policy services and undermined the rule of law, frameworks for fighting corruption had political stability and the ability to enact increased in the region, their effectiveness progressive laws;

15 Report of the Regional Conference on Corruption and the Challenge of Economic Transformation in Southern Africa

to carry out their mandated functions was perceived to undermine anti-corruption often undermined by lack of political support, initiatives by making it onerous to prove the weakened independence and resourcing at existence and evidence of corruption; the highest levels of the State; viii. Participants emphasized the importance of transparency and resulting citizens’ input in ii. Participants observed that strong institutions the drafting of bills and laws. were not sufficient deterrents nor were the panaceas for fighting corruption. However, C. On political leadership and fighting corruption other important “softer” factors, such as ethics, morality, integrity and accountability, were i. Participants acknowledged that political equally important in ridding society of the leadership across the subregion had become vice of corruption and these needed to be more disposed to address the challenges factored into programmes to fight corruption; of corruption and continued to make pronouncements in that regard at national iii. Participants argued that improving the and regional levels, and in some instances capacity and quality of oversight institutions had taken focused steps; were costly, as it took time and resources to build institutions and to set up requisite ii. Participants underscored that the top systems. However, countries needed to invest leadership in both the public and private in building oversight in those institutions and sectors in any country could elevate the anti- in developing mechanisms that guaranteed corruption fight through zero tolerance of effective delivery of functions; the vice and by ensuring that offenders were punished. iv. Participants argued that legislative branches of governments were relatively weak and D. On corruption in the public service should be capacitated to exercise their full i. Participants observed that politicization oversight functions, including monitoring of the public service in many countries tendencies towards corruption, independent continued to compromise professionalism of the other branches of the State; and perpetuated cronyism, resulting in poor v. Participants observed that the subregion delivery of public services and wastage of had sufficient instruments and frameworks, resources; including policies on “whistle-blowers”, to ii. Participants emphasized the need to develop fight corruption, but it lacked implementation and implement mechanisms for public capacity. Such capacity should be officials to declare their assets and income strengthened, so that the starting point in truthfully before and after serving in public fighting corruption was the interrogation of offices, and further underscored that the the factors that impeded implementation of requirement for declaring assets and interests policies and strategies in member States; should be made workable and implemented; vi. Participants observed that institutional inefficiencies that foster corruption iii. Participants argued that the legal requirement and imprudent public spending were that political leaders should declare their contributing to poor development outcomes assets and interests should be extended to in the subregion; civil servants of a defined level of seniority, given the high administrative costs for vii. Participants observed that the current policies enforcing that requirement; they also argued and legal frameworks in most countries were that declarations of asset holdings should

16 Report of the Regional Conference on Corruption and the Challenge of Economic Transformation in Southern Africa

also be mandatory for private-sector staff i. Participants observed and underscored that who had dealings or were pursuing deals the media, as a “watchdog”, had an important with Government through procurement of role to play in fighting the proliferation of goods or services; corruption and should be supported by all stakeholders in carrying out that important iv. Participants called for the development function; and enforcement of legal frameworks to ii. Participants noted that citizens, local enhance transparency of government communities and the media should be spending, particularly with regard to the empowered to engage effectively in the fight procurement of goods and services, and to against corruption at all levels; eliminate discretionary spending as that was susceptible to corruption; iii. Participants highlighted that to advance the goal of exposing corruption, the media v. Participants noted that poor working should be factual in their reporting and shun conditions in the civil service, including corruption in their own practices, so as not to low salaries and benefits, could account for undermine their credibility; endemic levels of corruption, as service staff sought to supplement their incomes. iv. Participants noted that ownership of the media should be made known publicly, as E. On the capacity of political parties, legislature it potentially could influence the objectivity and civil society organizations in fighting of the media in reporting and fighting corruption corruption

i. Participants underscored that political parties, v. Participants emphasized that anti-corruption legislature, the executive branch, the public campaigns by all stakeholders should be service and civil society were key in reforming accorded the same stature, prominence and institutions and in the fight against corruption, magnitude as campaigns against HIV and and that all of those entities should receive AIDS and against gender-based violence, in support to improve their capacities; order to raise awareness among stakeholders. ii. Participants noted that the executive branch G. On academia, research and tackling corruption was a singular arm of Government in its i. Participants highlighted that the outcomes potential influence on the fight to eradicate of academic research could strategically corruption; inform the crafting of policies and strategies iii. Participants acknowledged that political towards curbing corruption and also help to parties, civil society organizations, the media expose cases of corruption. They called for and other non-governmental actors were collaboration between academia and anti- essential in engaging the citizens to fully corruption institutions and other stakeholders participate in governance; in member States;

iv. Participants emphasized the need to build ii. Participants underscored that, in order to the capacity of the legislature and civil-society tackle corruption, stakeholders needed to stakeholders to be adequately empowered to know the causes of the menace and the detect, report and fight corruption. involved parties, where corruption was taking place and when corruption had taken place. F. On the role of the media and publicity of the They also underscored that all of that needed anti-corruption fight to be supported by high-quality research and

17 Report of the Regional Conference on Corruption and the Challenge of Economic Transformation in Southern Africa

investigative journalism; i. Participants emphasized the importance of keeping records, ideally in electronic iii. Participants observed a gap in the literature in form, at public institutions to support the terms of evidence of the impact of corruption documentation of corruption cases, and the on poverty and measuring the direct cost critical significance of ensuring that such of corruption, and called for more academic public institutions are adequately supported. research to support policy development. K. On developing a future free of corruption H. On partnerships and collaboration against corruption i. Participants noted that as the population of Africa is predominantly young, the i. Participants underscored that building fight against corruption should include coalitions, partnerships and collaborations programmes that target young people, in the fight against corruption facilitated including inculcating anti-corruption values the pooling of resources and the sharing of in primary-school education. expertise and experiences, which, in turn, enhanced the effectiveness of the effort; L. On women and the anti-corruption fight ii. Participants observed that as the fight against i. Participants emphasized the need to involve corruption transcended national boundaries, women in all strategies for combating countries should nationalize regional and corruption for comprehensive outcomes. international frameworks, conventions, protocols and institutions to ensure a holistic Recommendations approach in the fight against corruption; iii. Participants underscored that dealing with the 1. Considering the above observations, participants new forms of corruption that were emerging at the conference proffered recommendations and affecting all sectors required strategic in three key areas: (i) strengthening anti- coalitions among all stakeholders, including corruption legal and institutional frameworks and the use of multi-stakeholder approaches and institutions, (ii) building coalitions, collaborations strategies. and partnerships, and (iii) a strengthened role for the media. I. On fighting corruption through other institutional settings I. Strengthening anti-corruption legal and i. Participants emphasized that institutions, institutional frameworks and institutions such as religious groupings and traditional • Regional Governments should enhance structures, including chiefdoms and village transparency in mobilizing and using financial committees, could play important roles in the and human resources, and increase financing fight against corruption and should be part of for governance institutions, particularly those the broad strategy to rid society of corruption; in charge of fighting economic crimes and ii. Participants argued that the fight against corruption, in order to create an enabling corruption should not be waged only from environment for better development outcomes; a legal perspective but it should also involve ethical dimensions and that there should be • The executive and legislative branches of a balance between the focus on the causes of Governments in the region should take the lead corruption and a genuine need to generate in strengthening anti-corruption institutions practical solutions. and introducing legal frameworks to enhance the transparency of government business, J. On enhancing prosecution capacity eliminate all loopholes that facilitate corruption

18 Report of the Regional Conference on Corruption and the Challenge of Economic Transformation in Southern Africa

in Government, and develop mechanisms for against corruption. continuous monitoring and evaluation of the performance of anti-corruption institutions; III. Strengthened role and impartiality of the media

• Member States should enact freedom of • The media should report impartially and factually information acts in areas in which they do not on cases of corruption to ensure that media exist and strengthen implementation to ensure reports become credible tools for promoting the that citizens are aware of their rights and are able fight against corruption; to fight corruption when confronted with it; • To be transparent, the media should declare who • Member States should develop and implement owned them and should give context to readers mechanisms for the declaration and verification about the nature of reporting and how they of assets by public servants and political leaders selected what to report on; to support the development of a corruption-free public service. This requirement should also be • Media practitioners should have adequate mandatory for private-sector staff in firms that capacity to investigate, report and expose deal with or are pursuing deals with Government corruption; through the procurement of goods and services. • The media, in collaboration with other II. Building coalitions, collaborations and stakeholders, should raise the profile of the anti- partnerships in the anti-corruption fight corruption fight to the same magnitude as the • Regional member States should intensify efforts fights against HIV and AIDS and against gender- to control the levels of corruption by promoting based violence. national and subregional cooperation between State and non-State actors in the fight against Closing session corruption, and other steps; The closing session included statements by officers • Member States and regional economic from the Southern Africa Regional Office of the communities should ensure policy coherence and African Union, Subregional Office for Southern Africa harmonization, invest in building capacity in anti- of the Economic Commission for Africa and the corruption institutions, and increase collaboration Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime of and support for multi-stakeholder approaches for the Botswana Government. In his closing remarks, Mr. fighting corruption at all levels; Ngomo praised the participants for their enormous • Member States should adhere to and implement contributions during the discussions. He observed the SADC Protocol Against Corruption and other that the conference was in line with the continental relevant international instruments to detect, declaration against corruption and emphasized prosecute and punish perpetrators of corruption; the need to turn the recommendations into steps that could be implemented in practice through all • Regional economic communities should be more stakeholder channels, including the African Union and proactive in the fight against corruption across the the regional economic communities. Mr. Adejumobi continent by engaging and collaborating more applauded the partnership of the Directorate and strategically with other regional and international the two regional offices of the African Union and organizations, including relevant entities of the the Economic Commission for Africa in organizing African Union; the conference. He noted that the collaboration demonstrated what could be achieved through • Anti-corruption institutions, academic and partnerships. He expressed his elation over the quality research institutions, civil-society organizations of interaction during the conference, because of the and the media should collaborate in the fight expertise and diversity of participants. Mr. Adejumobi

19 Report of the Regional Conference on Corruption and the Challenge of Economic Transformation in Southern Africa

assured the conference that staff of the Subregional the Director General of the Directorate on Corruption Office for Southern Africa of the Economic Commission and Economic Crime, echoed the sentiments of for Africa would ensure that recommendations of the the two regional officers in expressing satisfaction conference were shared with SADC, COMESA and with the outcomes of the conference and the level other stakeholders. He ended his remarks by advising of collaboration in organizing it. He assured the authors that they were free to publish their papers meeting that lessons from the deliberations and with publishers of their own choice, however, the recommendations would indeed help reshape his staff at the Subregional Office would further review country’s crusade against corruption. Mr. Paledi the manuscripts to select those for publication within thanked the hotel for excellent facilities, wished the the Economic Commission for Africa. Victor Paledi, participants well, and officially closed the conference.

20 Report of the Regional Conference on Corruption and the Challenge of Economic Transformation in Southern Africa

Annex: List of participants

No.: List of participants Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime, Gaborone, Botswana. vpaledi@gov. 1 Victor Paledi bw or [email protected] Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences (Box 16060, Maseru 100, 2 Borotho Matsoso Lesotho. [email protected] or [email protected] Directeur Général, Bureau Indépendant Anti-Corruption, Madagascar. contact@ 3 Jean Louis Andriamifidy bianco-mg.org, [email protected], [email protected] Anti-Corruption Bureau, Mulanje House, City Centre Box 2437, Lilongwe, Malawi. 4 Reyneck Matemba [email protected], [email protected] Independent Commission Against Corruption, 68 Harbour Area, Port Louis, 5 Shakilla Bibi Jhungeer Mauritius. [email protected], [email protected] or [email protected] Anti-Corruption Commission, PO Box 23137, Windhoek Namibia. Email address: 6 John Lutaka [email protected] Special Investigation Unit, 74 Watermeyer Street, Rentmeester Building, Meyers 7 Lorinda Adlam Park, 0001, South Africa. [email protected] Anti-Corruption Commission, PO Box 4842, Mbabane, Swaziland. jabuphakathi@ 8 Jabulile M. P. Maseko realnet.co.sz or [email protected] or [email protected] Zambia Anti-Corruption Commission, PO Box 50486 Lusaka, Zambia. qchibwe@acc. 9 Zondwayo Soko gov.zm, [email protected], [email protected] or [email protected] Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, P O Box CY7783, Causeway, Harare, 10 Christina Fundira 5 Golda Avenue, Strathaven, Harare Zimbabwe. [email protected] or [email protected] 11 Godfrey L. Phonchi SADC secretariat, Gaborone, Botswana. [email protected] or [email protected]

12 Simal Amor COMESA secretariat, Lusaka, Zambia. [email protected] or [email protected]

13 Auguste Ngomo African Union. [email protected]

14 Charity Nchimunya African Union. [email protected]

15 Sabina M.C. Seja African Union [email protected]

16 Judith Banda African Union. [email protected]

17 Golie Nyirenda African Union. [email protected]

18 Christopher M. Katuu African Union. [email protected]

19 Francois Ndengwe Africa Advisory Board. [email protected] Port Management Association of Eastern and Southern Africa. hgichunge@pmaesa. 20 Andre Ciseau org 21 Martha Munthali African Union. [email protected]

22 Joella Marron United Nations Development Programme, Botswana. [email protected] Anti-Corruption Trust of Southern Africa, Harare, Zimbabwe. actsouthernafrica@ 23 Alouis Chaumba gmail.com Anti-Corruption Trust of Southern Africa, Harare, Zimbabwe. david_jamali@yahoo. 24 David Jamali com 25 Reuben Lifuka Transparency International (Zambia). [email protected] Southern Africa Research and Development Centre, Harare, Zimbabwe. tsasa@sardc. 26 Munetsi Madakufamba net, [email protected] Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa. 27 Percy Fungayi Makombe [email protected] or [email protected] SADC Council of Non-Governmental Organizations, Gaborone. abied@sadc-cngo- 28 Botho Seboko org.bw

21 Report of the Regional Conference on Corruption and the Challenge of Economic Transformation in Southern Africa

Ministry of Public Enterprises, Windhoek. [email protected], Louise. 29 Louise Penna Shixwameni [email protected] 30 Garth Le Pere [email protected]

31 Karuti Kayinga University of Nairobi. [email protected]

32 Sheila Bunware University of Mauritius. [email protected]

33 Andre Mangu Faculty of Law, University of South Africa. [email protected]

Center for Excellence International Consult, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. gedion@ 34 Gedion G. Jalata centerofexcellenceplc.com, [email protected]

International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (, Ethiopia. olukoshi@ 35 Adebayo Olukoshi gmail.com United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Kenya. abdul. 36 Abdul Lamin [email protected], [email protected]

37 Maureen Achieng The Pan-African Citizens Network. [email protected]

37 Amos Sawyer Former President of Liberia. [email protected]

39 Touria Prayag L’éxpress Weekly, Mauritius. [email protected]

40 Rebecca Chimjeka Times Group, Lilongwe, Malawi. [email protected]

41 Ankomah Baffour New African Magazine, London. [email protected]

42 Nozipho Sibiya Swazi Observer. +268 76080878. [email protected]

43 Liabo Setho South African Broadcasting Corporation. [email protected]

44 Anver Versi New African Magazine, London. [email protected], [email protected]

45 Brigida da Cruz Henrique Mozambique Express. [email protected]

46 Cynthia Mwale Zambia Daily Mail. [email protected]

47 Pusetso Morapedi Botswana Centre for Public Integrity. [email protected]

48 Molefe Phirinyane Botswana Institute of Development and Policy Analysis.

49 Ambrose Mubika Directorate of Public Prosecutions, Botswana.

50 William Moncho Office of the Ombudsman, Botswana.

51 Ontiretse Diboko Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Board, Botswana.

52 Ernest Bagopi Competition Authority, Gaborone, Botswana.

53 Kesego Modongo Competition Authority, Gaborone, Botswana.

54 Freddy Els Deloitte, Botswana.

55 Marshall Kgokgothwane Bank of Botswana.

56 Ewetse Rakhudu Bank of Botswana.

57 Keletso Mothusi Bank of Botswana.

58 Tsaone C. Mokone Botswana Unified Revenue Service.

22 Report of the Regional Conference on Corruption and the Challenge of Economic Transformation in Southern Africa

Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime, Botswana. khame.dominic8@gmail. 59 Dominic Khame com Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime), Botswana. eomokwenaotsile@gov. 60 Esther Mokwenaotsile bw 61 Teekay Kaelo Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime, Botswana

62 Moje R. Gontse Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime, Botswana. [email protected]

63 Agosi Shamil African Union, Youth Clubs. [email protected] Ministry of Minerals, Green Technology and Energy Security, Botswana. samgojwa@ 64 Mogojwa S. Angel gov.bw 65 Sethra Gonaya Business Women Africa Botswana. [email protected]

66 Retchalefile Marcy Ministry of Employment, Botswana. [email protected]

67 Ellah N. Moepedi Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime, Botswana. [email protected] Ludo Thateng Jowha- 68 International Law Enforcement Agency, Botswana. Mpundisi Kgosi(Chief) Botiki 69 House of Chiefs, Botswana. Motshegare 70 Tymon Katlholo Tyedo Investments, Botswana.

71 Gape Kaboyakgosi House of Chiefs, Botswana.

72 Jackson Madzima House of Chiefs, Botswana.

73 Bashi Mothusi University of Botswana.

74 Rudolph Boy University of Botswana.

75 Rebana Mmereki University of Botswana.

76 Ms. Hilda Modisane Electoral Commissions Forum of SADC Countries, Botswana

Ministry of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services, Botswana. mapauge@ 77 Mapauge Milton gov.bw

78 Barupi Baitumetse Madirelo Training and Testing Centre, Botswana. [email protected]

79 Bakfr Brelinah M.N.G.E. Minerals Botswana. [email protected]

80 Mokone Tsaone Botswana United Revenue Service, Botswana. [email protected]

81 Tshoboti Rabotlhale Directorate of Intelligence and Security Services (Botswana) - [email protected]

82 L. Bethel [email protected]

83 Achieng Akena The Pan-African Citizens Network, Nairobi. Email: [email protected]

84 Katloholo Tymon Tyedo Investments (Pty) Ltd, Botswana. [email protected]

85 Molosiwa Koketso Botswana Centre for Public Integrity (BCPI). hotlomolosiwa.gmail.com

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH, Bonn, Germany. 86 Gallina Sophia [email protected]

87 Senyarelo Kenelwe Office of the Auditor General, Botswana. Commonwealth Africa Anti-Corruption Centre, Gaborone, Botswana. srantsetse@ 88 Rantsetse Mogolodi gmail.com

23 Report of the Regional Conference on Corruption and the Challenge of Economic Transformation in Southern Africa

89 Tefo M. Kgotlhane Directorate of Intelligence Services, Botswana.

Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, Nairobi. Richard.Kimitei@ 90 Richard K. Kimitei kalro.org

91 Mamello L. Rakolobe National University of Lesotho. [email protected]

92 Christopher O. Omolo Eberhard Karls Universität uT bingen, Tübingen, Germany. [email protected]

93 Isaque M. Joaquim Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo. [email protected]

94 Jorum Duri University of Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa. [email protected] National University of Science and Technology, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. winmoreb@ 95 Batsirai W. Mazviona gmail.com 96 Baraka Kasara Israel CBE - [email protected] Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany. sychrist2007@gmail. 97 Seth C.Y. Appiah com 98 Shepherd Mpofu University of Limpopo, South Africa. [email protected] Takumbi Lumumba- 99 Stellenbosch Institute, South Africa. [email protected] Kasongo 100 Kudakwashe Mafigo Ministry of Finance, Zimbabwe. [email protected]

101 Leleng Kabalo University of Lome, Togo - [email protected]

102 David O. Fadiran University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa. [email protected]

103 Shewangu Dzomira Great Zimbabwe University, Masvingo, Zimbabwe. [email protected]

104 George K. Kieh African Methodist Episcopal University, Monroviaa. [email protected]

105 Clare Cheromoi Uganda Christian University, Mukono, Uganda. [email protected]

106 Sama Hamisi Kileo College of Business Education, Dar es Salaam. [email protected]

107 Ann Waithira Githinji Riara University, Nairobi. [email protected]

108 Chilombo Musa University of Lusaka, [email protected]

109 Israel Kehinde Ekanade University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa. [email protected]

110 Larry Nita Albaart Chambers. [email protected]

Executive Director, Centre for Trade Policy and Development, Lusaka. 111 Isaac Mwaipopo [email protected]

112 Hannah Muzee Pan-African University. [email protected]

113 Sagwadi M. Mubunda University of Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa. [email protected]

114 Frank Kalizinje Malawi Revenue Authority - [email protected]

115 Donasius Pathera TACS. [email protected]

116 Buhle Angelo Dube University of South Africa. [email protected]

117 Ndakaitei Makwanise Zimbabwe. [email protected]

118 Selahattin Pasali Economic Commission for Africa. [email protected]

24 Report of the Regional Conference on Corruption and the Challenge of Economic Transformation in Southern Africa

119 Jimmy Appa Okello Uganda. [email protected] National University of Science and Technology, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. peterson. 120 Peterson Dewah [email protected] 121 Michael Masiya [email protected]

122 Tafadzwa Maramura [email protected]

123 Jack Zulu Economic Commission for Africa. [email protected]

124 Benjamin M. Banda Economic Commission for Africa. [email protected]

125 Samuel Oloruntoba [email protected]

126 Odubajo Festus [email protected] Maguchu Prosper 127 [email protected] Simbarashe 128 David Mohale [email protected]

129 Forget Chaterera [email protected]

130 Brian Mwiinga [email protected]

131 Jerita Razuwika [email protected]

Economic Commission for Africa, Subregional Office for Southern Africa

132 Said Adejumobi Director, Subregional Office for Southern Africa. [email protected]

133 Mzwanele Mfunwa Chief - Subregional Initiatives Unit. [email protected]

134 Oliver Maponga Economic Affairs Officer. [email protected]

135 Henry Lubinda Programme Officer. [email protected]

136 Bernard P. Bamin AFO. [email protected]

137 Innocent Bayai Fellow. [email protected]

138 Bedson Nyoni Information Management Assistant. [email protected]

139 Ceciwa S. Banda Finance Assistant. [email protected]

140 Grace Kaonga Staff Assistant. [email protected]

25

Printed in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia by the ECA Printing and Publishing Unit. ISO 14001:2015 certified. Printed on chlorine free paper.