- Health officials paid P100 000 false allowance monthly
- DCEC sets sights on syndicate at the Ministry of Health
- They use forged and falsified documents to justify payments
- Network comprises of business figures, private suppliers
- Further investigations have included lifestyle audits
The Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC), the country’s premier anti-corruption agency, is intensifying its investigation into what it suspects is a deeply entrenched and well-organized criminal syndicate operating within the Ministry of Health and its Central Medical Stores (CSM). This syndicate is believed to be responsible for the systematic siphoning of public funds meant for critical healthcare services, severely undermining the country’s efforts to deliver effective medical care to its citizens.
According to allegations put forth by the DCEC, the network comprises a tangled web of government officials across various levels, including some senior administrators, as well as influential business figures and private suppliers who have colluded to exploit procurement and payment systems. The scheme reportedly involves the submission of inflated invoices for medical supplies, the use of forged and falsified documents to justify payments, and coordinated efforts to bypass standard checks and balances. These fraudulent activities have not only drained financial resources but also disrupted the supply chain for essential medicines and medical equipment.
In a press briefing, DCEC Director General Botlhale Makgekgenene confirmed that her office is actively probing what she described as “widespread and deeply entrenched corruption” within the Ministry of Health. She highlighted several alarming examples that underscore the severity of the situation, including revelations that some employees were receiving monthly allowances of up to P100,000, a figure grossly disproportionate to their official salaries and responsibilities. “Such exorbitant allowances raise serious questions about the effectiveness of internal controls and oversight mechanisms,” Makgekgenene stated. “Where were the gatekeepers if a single individual could receive such an amount unchecked?” she challenged, emphasizing that her agency is committed to ensuring that no official implicated in these corrupt dealings escapes accountability.
Further investigations have included lifestyle audits aimed at uncovering discrepancies between declared income and actual living standards among ministry staff. These audits are designed to detect signs of illicit enrichment, such as ownership of expensive properties, luxury vehicles, or foreign bank accounts inconsistent with official earnings. While the DCEC has refrained from disclosing the exact number of suspects under scrutiny, Makgekgenene reassured the public that every financial trail will be meticulously traced. She pledged that those found guilty of corruption will face prosecution, underscoring the agency’s zero-tolerance stance.
Eyewitness accounts and whistleblower testimonies paint a particularly grim picture of the syndicate’s operations. According to insiders, a cartel of officials, ranging from junior clerks to high-ranking managers, allegedly held clandestine meetings twice a month at upscale city restaurants. During these gatherings, they reportedly divided the illicit proceeds among themselves, effectively turning the ministry’s supply chain into a cash cow for personal enrichment. Meanwhile, millions of pula worth of medical supplies languished unused in warehouses, allowed to expire rather than being distributed to hospitals and clinics in urgent need. Disturbingly, some invoices were processed and paid in full despite no evidence that the supplies had ever been delivered, highlighting gross negligence or complicity within the payment approval process.
Healthcare analysts and watchdog groups warn that the scale of these losses is staggering and has dire consequences for Botswana’s already overstretched health system. Resources that could have been used to improve patient care, purchase vaccines, or upgrade medical infrastructure have instead been diverted into corrupt hands. This depletion of funds exacerbates challenges such as shortages of essential medicines, delays in treatment, and deteriorating healthcare outcomes nationwide.
President Duma Boko has publicly condemned the failures of the Central Medical Stores, describing its performance as “dismal” and unacceptable, especially given the critical role it plays in managing the country’s medical supplies. In response to the unfolding scandal, the Ministry of Health is reportedly considering a comprehensive overhaul of its operations. This may include sweeping staff transfers, forced early retirements of implicated personnel, tighter procurement reforms, and the introduction of independent audits to restore integrity and operational efficiency.
The scandal has sent shockwaves through Botswana’s public service, sparking urgent debates about the sufficiency of existing oversight frameworks and the need for stronger accountability mechanisms. It raises difficult questions about whether the rot within one of the country’s most vital institutions can be rooted out before the damage becomes irreversible. With public trust at stake, the government faces mounting pressure to demonstrate that it can not only punish wrongdoing but also rebuild a health system that serves the people rather than lining the pockets of the corrupt.
