The Office of the Receiver reported a striking surge in asset forfeitures this January, marking a 321.8 percent increase attributed to final forfeitures, according to Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Nelson Ramaotwana. He disclosed these figures while presenting the committee of supply for the office in Parliament this week.
Minister Ramaotwana revealed that the assets seized by the office in January alone totaled P32,253,471.10. This impressive haul was bolstered by ongoing administrative deposits from key law enforcement bodies, including the Botswana Police Service (BPS), Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS), and the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC).
The minister also highlighted a rise in the office’s operational duties, evidenced by an uptick in court orders concerning the seizure, management, and restitution of confiscated property. The Office of the Receiver plays an indispensable role in overseeing assets under restraint, those forfeited to the State, and their eventual disposal, duties carried out on behalf of the government with a steadfast commitment to accountability, transparency, and justice.
“As of February 2026, the portfolio of restrained property under management, comprising real estate, vehicles, plant machinery, livestock, personal effects, furniture, money, and business interests, decreased from P169,527,649.81 last year to P141,488,115.23, representing a significant decline of 16.5 percent,” Ramaotwana stated.
He further noted that during 2025, the office returned vehicles, immovable properties, and funds following court directives, while others were ultimately forfeited to the government.
“The active role of the Office of the Receiver in administering the Confiscated Assets Trust Fund is reflected in the substantial growth of the Fund’s balance, which escalated from P10,383,802.44 the previous year to P43,795,778.41,” the minister explained.
Ramaotwana added that no compensation was paid to crime victims during the year under review, as claims remain under assessment. “The Confiscated Assets Trust Fund Management Committee is finalizing guidelines for the disbursement of funds to support victims through compensation and rehabilitation, as well as capacity-building and training initiatives for law enforcement agencies engaged in combating money laundering, racketeering, and terrorism financing.”
Despite these successes, the Office of the Receiver continues to grapple with challenges related to storage and the high costs of maintaining restrained property, issues largely stemming from protracted litigation that delays asset finalization and disposal.
“Efforts to secure long-term storage solutions are ongoing. In the interim, the Office, in collaboration with the Botswana Defence Force, has completed the construction of three shelters providing 60 temporary parking bays. The Office will continue to work closely with other law enforcement agencies to address storage needs,” Ramaotwana concluded.