The long-running battle over the Ncojane Water Supply Works took a sharp turn this week as Tawana JV’s legal team accused senior government officials of orchestrating a sham suspension of the procurement process to sidestep binding court orders. On Monday, May 11, 2026, the law firm Jeremiah Tladi & Co responded to the Attorney General with a blistering claim that the Ministry of Water and Human Settlement is in criminal contempt of both the High...

In a striking judgment that challenges a common legal assumption in Botswana, High Court Judge Dr. Zeinub Kebonang took a firm stand against the widespread notion that alcohol consumption automatically softens criminal responsibility. His ruling, which sentenced Tapologo Makwatse to death for the 2015 murder of his girlfriend, Dipuo Ramalepa, rejects the idea that intoxication can serve as a defense without clear scientific or expert support. Judge Kebonang was explicit in dismissing the accused’s claims...

Biggie Ganda Butale, former minister, legislator, and president of the Botswana Republican Party (BRP), has delivered a clear message: the government has exceeded its authority, and he is prepared to challenge it in court to uphold constitutional limits. Before Attorney General Dick Bayford sits a legal notice from Butale, who intends to contest the administrative removal of specific sections of the Penal Code, namely Section 164. Butale brings this notice in his personal capacity as...

The Competition and Consumer Authority (CCA) has secured its first-ever cartel settlement in Botswana, with Hollard Insurance Company of Botswana agreeing to pay a financial penalty of BWP 4,828,510.08 following allegations of anti-competitive conduct. The settlement, confirmed by an order from the Competition and Consumer Tribunal this week, concludes a legal battle between the CCA and Hollard that began in late 2023. The case originated from a referral filed by the Authority on 30 November...

President Duma Boko’s recent, sweeping claim that 90% of media reports are “fake” has sparked alarm across Botswana, threatening to erode public trust in journalism and opening the door to harsh criticism and mockery of reporters from citizens and social media alike, according to a detailed Intelwatch report. For decades, Botswana has been hailed as a steady beacon of democracy and stability in Africa. But now, the country stands at a pivotal crossroads as mounting...

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is set to announce within the next month whether former President Ian Khama will be permitted to pursue a private prosecution against individuals linked to the now-defunct Butterfly case. This development comes after the collapse of the state’s original claim, which alleged that P100 billion had been looted from the Bank of Botswana. Despite a lack of evidence backing those accusations, the legal battle presses on as Khama seeks...

The Botswana government is under increasing public scrutiny following recent leadership appointments to the newly created Botswana Sovereign Wealth Fund (BSWF). Established to oversee state-owned enterprises and promote economic diversification, the fund’s executive structure has ignited a vigorous debate over national representation and governance. Two parliamentary questions addressed the Fund’s operations. Taolo Lucas, the member of parliament for Bobirwa, queried Minister of State President Moeti Mohwasa, who also oversees defence and security, to provide a...

The Ncojane Water Supply tender began as an infrastructure initiative aimed at delivering water to villages in the Kgalagadi Ghanzi South and Kgalagadi North districts. With a budget exceeding P1.5 billion, it stood as one of the previous government’s largest expenditure commitments. Yet, the process soon became mired in controversy, which the Public Procurement Tribunal later characterized as a debacle fueled by the actions of the Ministry’s Accounting Officer. A Court of Appeal panel, comprising...

Legal Aid Botswana (LAB) has made a major stride in tackling its civil case backlog, nearly doubling its success rate in registering longstanding legal matters. This progress reflects the agency’s firm commitment to the principle that justice delayed is justice denied. The revelation comes from LAB’s recently published annual report for 2024/25, which shows the agency overcame operational challenges, including staff attrition, to raise its overall legal representation success rate to an impressive 87.02 percent...