Botswanan President Duma Boko has launched an unprecedented fight against corruption, determined to restore citizens’ trust in their institutions. Since his election in October 2024 on a platform firmly focused on combating corruption, he has initiated a vast operation to track down embezzled public funds.
At the heart of this strategy lies a historic forensic audit covering a decade of public spending, from 2014 to 2024. Entrusted to the international firm Alvarez & Marsal for an amount of P54.7 million, this audit scrutinized the finances of the entire government and 30 public enterprises.
President Boko was careful to clarify that the operation was “not a political witch-hunt” but a genuine “asset tracing” exercise to follow the trail of stolen money.
The results have exceeded all expectations. The audit uncovered an estimated loss of P33 billion, linked to suspicions of widespread corruption.
More than 80 senior officials, including ministers, civil servants, and heads of public enterprises, have been identified for further investigation.
The report, which was submitted to the president in April 2026, was followed by an announcement: formal investigations would be opened into all alleged cases of misconduct.
Aware that the audit was only a first step, the government has put in place a two-pronged parallel strategy. The first consists of pursuing judicial proceedings based on the evidence gathered, while the second aims to implement recommendations to fundamentally reform governance systems.
The president insisted on the need to bring those responsible to justice, recalling that the effectiveness of the judicial system is crucial to supporting this approach.
The Minister of State, Moeti Mohwasa, even called on those who have illicitly benefited from public funds to voluntarily return them in order to facilitate the recovery process. Vice-President Ndaba Gaolathe stated that he is personally committed to recovering the money, considering it an essential reason for their election.
While the opposition fears a “witch-hunt” and some unions are calling for the full publication of the report for complete transparency, the initiative is widely perceived as a strong signal. By taking on head-on what he himself has called the “gangrene” that has affected entire swathes of the administration, including the health system, President Duma Boko is attempting to restore the trust of citizens and investors alike in the institutions.
The success of this gamble will now depend on the judicial system’s ability to keep pace with investigations and prosecutions, and to translate promises into action for a fairer and more prosperous Botswana.
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