09 Jan 2025

Corruption is a monster that has potential to deplete government coffers, Assistant Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Mr Augustine Nyatanga,  has said.

Speaking during a kgotla meeting in Makwate on Tuesday, Mr Nyatanga,  said a lot of funds that could have been used for developments and other needs were lost to corruption.

He emphasised the need to tighten loopholes to nipcorruption in the bud. Mr Nyatanga pointed that corruption affected all aspects of the society and it was therefore vital for everyone to come on board to eliminate it.

He said corruption undermined the rule of law, diminished institutions’ ability to serve the nation and compromised good governance, thus leading to bad things like capture and lawlessnes.

He thus pleaded the wish for the nation to shun corruption in all spheres of life. Being rated among the least corrupt countries in Africa, he said, did not mean the nation should be complacent.

Assistant Minister Nyatanga spoke of the need to capacitate the Financial Intelligence Agency to better deal with money laundering, terrorism financing and related crimes.

He warned churches and trusts to desist from being used in acts of crime, citing money laundering and terrorism financing.

On other issues, he promised the constituents that he would tackle their challenges to improve the standard and quality of life.

Mr Nyatanga also spoke of the need to cut bureaucracy  to ease doing business in the country, pointing out unnecessary processes could scare away potential investors as delays may cost them substantial amounts of money.

He said there was need to set up processing plants or industries in Mahalapye east to create employment for the youth who were hard-hit by unemployment.

Mr Nyatanga spoke of the need to revisit policies and laws to create a favourable environment for businesses to thrive.

As for infrastructure development, he said improved road networks linking Makwate and Mahalapye could help to attract investors to the area. He also said there was need for a tarmac road linking Makwate and Parrs’ Halt Border Post.

For her part, the VDC chairperson, Ms Rachel Langa said the village was lagging behind in developments. She however expressed  optimism that the new administration would rectify the error.

She said the village’s primary school, Mmuabui, needed a reception block  for early childhood education, which was pivotal in laying a strong foundation for children’s academic journey.

She shared that the village’s population had grown and therefore needed improved health services.

Ms Segametsi Martin, a youth from Makwate, asked for a recreational park in the village that would be managed by VDC. She said the facility that could host big events such as commemorations and weddings would earn income for the VDC. ENDS