This week, before Regional Magistrate Mareledi Dipate, formal charges were laid against former Minister of Minerals and Energy Lefoko Moagi. Moagi faces allegations in two distinct cases involving corruption and money laundering.
In the first case, the particulars state that on or around April 17, 2024, Moagi, acting in his capacity as a public officer and Minister of the State, received a valuable benefit from New Energy Company (Pty) Ltd. This payment, amounting to P4,706,000.00, was funneled through Wisecreatives Investments (Pty) Ltd and credited to a bank account held by Wisecreatives. Moagi was given direct access to these funds via a bank card issued by Wisecreatives Investments, which he used to withdraw money from both New Energy and its affiliate, Riders (Pty) Ltd. The funds are alleged to have been a reward for issuing prospecting licenses for base metals in the Gantsi, Tsabong, and Tutume Districts, transactions directly related to his official duties.
The second case comprises two counts: one of Corruption, in violation of the Corruption and Economic Crime Act, and another of Money Laundering under the Proceeds and Instruments of Crime Act.
According to the first count, on or about August 30, 2024, in Gaborone, Moagi, then Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security, and Member of Parliament for the Ramotswa Constituency, exploited his ministerial position to secure benefits for himself from Sieyuan Electric Botswana (Pty) Ltd. Specifically, he received 100 heifers and a bull, collectively valued at P417,500.00. The company held commercial contracts with Botswana Power Corporation, a parastatal entity overseen by Moagi’s ministerial portfolio.
The second count alleges that between November 30, 2024, and April 22, 2025, in Gaborone, Moagi, acting in concert with others not presently before the court, engaged in money laundering. He is accused of disguising property known to be proceeds of corruption by executing a fraudulent loan agreement with a representative of Sieyuan Electric Botswana (Pty) Ltd, Mr. Han. The contract falsely portrayed the P417,500.00, derived from corrupt acts, as a legitimate loan from Mr. Han.
Prosecutor Ambrose Mubika informed the court that the investigation remains in its early stages. “When the investigations are complete, we will have more than one accused person in the dock. For that reason, we pray that his plea be reserved.”
Moagi was granted conditional bail set at P5,000.00 for each case. He is scheduled to appear before the court again on March 31, 2026.