A new Afrobarometer study has revealed that a majority of Batswana perceive corruption to have been prevalent in the office of former President Mokgweetsi Masisi. The findings, released this month, highlight growing public concern over governance and transparency during Masisi’s administration.

According to the survey, conducted by the Botswana-based research organization in late 2024, more than 72% of respondents believe corruption was widespread within the presidency under Masisi. The report also suggests that public trust in government institutions declined significantly during his tenure.

The study says Botswana continues to be rated among the least corrupt countries in the world. Citing Transparency International, Afrobarometer says Botswana was ranked 39thbest out of 180 countries worldwide on its most recent Corruption Perceptions Index.

“However, the latest Afrobarometer study shows that citizens are concerned about

corruption, especially in the office of the Presidency,” the study says adding that “At the time of the survey in August 2024, while Masisi was in office, Batswana ranked the Presidency as one of the most corrupt institutions the survey asked about,” the study says.

The study shows that perceptions of at least “some” corruption in Botswana’s Presidency have been the majority view for more than a decade.

According to the key findings of the study, “More than seven in 10 Batswana (72%) believe that the former president and officials in his office were involved in corruption, including four in 10 who say that “most” or “all” (39%) of them were involved in graft.” 

The study also says “More citizens see widespread corruption (“most” or “all”) in the Presidency (39%) than in any other institution the survey asked about, including civil servants (34%), the

police (33%), members of Parliament (33%), and business executives (31%).” 

Perceptions of at least “some” corruption in the Presidency have been a majority

view consistently since 2012 (61%), climbing to a peak of 79% in 2022 before declining

slightly in 2024 (72%). 

Respondents were asked: How many of the following people do you think are involved in corruption, or haven’t you heard enough about them to say: The president and officials in his office?

Respondents were also asked: How many of the following people do you think are involved in corruption, or haven’t you heard enough about them to say: The president and officials in his office?

(% who say “some of them,” “most of them,” or “all of them”).

Addressing the media at the time when  he was vacating office, after the Botswaa Democratic Party (BDP) lost state power, Masisi said he does not have concerns he might be prosecuted over actions while in office.

“Look at my hands. They look clean. I feel they are clean, I know they’re clean,” he said. “If anyone finds any evidence, take me to court. Now will be the time because it’s in the constitution. The protection of the president is only temporary.