A National Coalition on Corruption, planned to include all sections of society in the fight against graft, is to be set up in 2006, according to the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences' (DCEO). 

The envisaged coalition is to perform an oversight function without interfering with the DCEO's investigations. Mobilising community action against corruption as well as serving as an advisory body to the DCEO, it is hoped that the coalition will also influence legislation on corruption and related matters, DCEO spokesperson, Mr. Litelu Ramokhoro, said.

It will be made from a representation as wide as possible including the public, the private sector and government.

As part of preparations for the establishment of the coalition, the Anti-Corruption Steering Committee (ACSC) will hold a two-day workshop from November 3 in Teyateyaneng, to re-examine and finalise proposals for its formation.

Issues expected to be raised at the workshop include the experiences of some key stakeholders in the fight against corruption, drawn from the public sector, private sector and civil society, as well as lessons learned from cases on corruption from the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.

28 October 2005