A local magistrate has released a minor charged with murder on bail, delivering a stinging rebuke to Botswana’s child justice system and its failure to adequately protect young defendants. Magistrate Tshepo Magetse’s ruling shines a harsh light on systemic deficiencies that risk harming children caught in the legal system. Magetse, presiding in Francistown, emphasized the potential for minors to be held alongside adults, the lack of suitable detention facilities within reach of the court, and...

A recent annual report from the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA) reveals a noticeable trend in financial transactions. In the 2023/24 financial year, the FIA processed 24,381 cash transaction reports (CTRs), slightly fewer than the 24,711 received in 2022/23. The total value of these reported transactions amounted to P47,299,508,817.21, a decrease from the P61,657,180,192.65 recorded in the previous year. While data indicates an increase in cash transactions from P15.8 billion in 2019/20 to P61.7 billion in...

– Between July and December 2022, the FIA documented 221 suspicious transactions – January-June, 400 suspicious transactions were reported, totaling P500 million This week, the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA) released an analysis of money laundering and terrorist financing trends, uncovering a troubling pattern of 989 suspicious transaction reports (STRs) from 2022 to 2023, collectively valued at over P2 billion.  

In the appeal concerning charges of corruption and money laundering against the former Permanent Secretary to the President (PSP), Carter Morupisi, retired South African Constitutional Court Judge Bess Nkabinde scrutinized the sentencing decision rendered by High Court Judge Chris Gabanagae. This critical examination followed submissions by Morupisi’s counsel, Obonye Jonas, who argued that the principles of sentencing were adhered to without error, and that the judge a quo correctly applied the Court of Appeal’s precedents...

The defamation case involving the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) against social media influencer Setlhomo Raymond Tshwanelang is currently being presided over by Justice Michael Leburu. Tshwanelang has been actively alleging corruption and abuse of office by CEDA’s Chief Executive Officer, Thabo Thamane, CEDA ambassador Sonny Serite, and members of the CEDA board. This week, the parties appeared before the honorable judge pursuant to an order issued on November 13, 2024. This order obligates Tshwanelang...

Before Chief Justice (CJ) Terrance Rannowane lies a response from Justice Dr. Zeinub Kebonang to a complaint filed by Bookbinder Business Law on behalf of First National Bank Botswana (FNBB). This complaint pertains to an ongoing legal battle between FNBB and former Tati East Member of Parliament, Guma Moyo, as well as his business, United Refinery Pty (Ltd), which is currently under judicial management. According to court records, FNBB intends to auction two properties located...