Dr Dimakatso Polokelo's anti-corruption Blockchain secret weapon

Dr Dimakatso Polokelo’s article in “The Patriot On Sunday” newspaper of 16 February, headlined “Blockchain: Botswana’s secret weapon against corruption” is very interesting and informative. While I confess my ignorance of the science of Block chain, I must point out to Dr Dimakatso that the real problem in fighting corruption is not so much the lack of tools as the lack of political will/courage to do so. 

The corrupt are also the power custodians. In this regard we recall the case of one president of the Republic refusing to resign unless and until he was given four million bucks as an “incentive”. Desperate to see him off the power pedestal, a mining behemoth finally relented and proffered what was for all intents and purposes a bribe. This was grand corruption. Today the individual is held in such high esteem that there are public facilities named after him.

The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning used to be the sole custodian of Government expenditure. While they were not employing any such sophisticated technologies as Block Chain, the simple ledger (I think that’s what it is called) seems to have been doing the job well enough. Without any clear reason why, we suddenly had introduced special “Funds” whose administration fell outside the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning. These funds were nothing more than looting handles. 

The latest looting mechanisms are the “mananeo”. Even the name itself suggests nefarious designs. “Mana” like Manna falling from heaven; and “Neo” being “gift” in Setswana.

And so, Dr Dimakatso Polokelo, your block chain secret weapon stands no chance of being approved for use, because no one will have the courage to implement it; and if you were to be stubborn enough to offer your services for such implementation, you would most likely end up being mysteriously run over by a train at some remote level crossing!

 

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