For years, Rose Seretse stood at the center of Botswana’s most politically sensitive corruption investigations, probing powerful figures, scrutinizing the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS), and exposing allegations of graft and abuse to the public.
Now, the former director general of the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) has earned one of Africa’s highest honors in the fight against corruption, becoming the first Motswana recognized by the Commonwealth Regional Anti-Corruption Agencies in Africa for her role in shaping the continent’s anti-graft framework.
Seretse was honored at the 16th Commonwealth Regional Conference of Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Africa, held in Yaoundé, Cameroon, where delegates from nearly 25 agencies gathered alongside diplomats and international experts.
The award acknowledged her contributions to establishing and operationalizing the Commonwealth Africa Anti-Corruption Centre (CAACC) in Botswana during her tenure at the DCEC, a move that expanded Botswana’s influence within regional anti-corruption efforts.
“Truly speaking, this recognition came as a surprise and I feel honored as an individual,” Seretse told WeekendPost.
Seretse, the first woman to lead the DCEC since its founding more than 30 years ago, said the initiative began during regional anti-corruption conferences she attended while still in office.
At the time, Botswana was not fully integrated into the Commonwealth Africa Anti-Corruption framework. Seretse argued that the country needed a stronger regional presence to benefit from intelligence-sharing, institutional cooperation, and joint anti-corruption strategies.
After lobbying key stakeholders, Botswana eventually joined the initiative, which was later officially launched by former Vice President Ponatshego Kedikilwe.
Organizers in Yaoundé described Seretse as a foundational figure within the Association of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa (AAACoA), crediting her with guiding the organization through its formative years after its establishment in 2011.
“This recognition that I received recently in Yaoundé, Cameroon, I dedicate to all DCEC officials both active and retired who continue to play a vital role in fighting corruption,” she said.
She also praised current DCEC director general Botlhale Makgekgenene for continuing what she described as a difficult and often misunderstood fight.
Seretse’s legacy extends beyond regional institution-building. During her tenure, she led investigations that shook Botswana’s political and security establishment, including probes into alleged corruption within the DIS and cases involving senior public officials.
She singled out Tymon Katlhole and the late Eugene Wasetso as investigators who stood by her during some of the DCEC’s most challenging cases.
“He cracked high-profile cases and that was remarkable,” she said of Wasetso.
Across Africa, anti-corruption agencies are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence, digital forensics, and cross-border cooperation as financial crimes grow more sophisticated.
Seretse’s recognition signals that Botswana’s anti-corruption efforts are no longer viewed as purely domestic battles but as part of a broader continental struggle over political integrity and state accountability.
She joined the DCEC two years after its founding and served in leadership roles for a decade. She was later transferred under controversial circumstances around 2017, during President Ian Khama’s administration, to establish the Botswana Energy Regulatory Authority (BERA), where she served as the first chief executive officer.
She remains active in anti-corruption campaigns locally and internationally.