Balopi’s fraud probe explained

Mpho Balopi, president of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), is under scrutiny by the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC), with sources indicating that the investigation has wrapped up and charges may soon follow. Should prosecutors move forward, Balopi would become the third former minister from the previous government to face corruption-related allegations this year. The inquiry centers on a loan facility of roughly P5 million granted by the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA),...

Radioactive waste facility relocated to BIUST

A contentious dispute between the government and the residents of Pilikwe village over plans for a multi-million-pula radioactive storage facility has taken a decisive turn. Authorities have now identified a new prospective site, the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) in Palapye. The proposed facility, which encountered staunch opposition from Pilikwe’s inhabitants for several months, is now slated for construction on the university’s main campus. Villagers in Pilikwe had vehemently opposed the project,...

P950 million CEDA funding boosts citizen enterprises

The Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) is gearing up to inject a substantial P950 million into Botswana’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) during the 2026/27 financial year, a move that promises to reshape the landscape of citizen economic participation. This planned funding round is not just a number; it signals a strategic leap toward empowering citizen-owned businesses, bolstering job creation, and nurturing economic diversification in a country where MSMEs form the backbone of growth...

DPP recuses entire office from P62 Million corruption case

In a striking development within a high-profile corruption trial, Botswana’s chief prosecutor has stepped away from prosecuting prominent Gaborone businessman Bakang Seretse, citing a personal and professional relationship with the accused. Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Kgosietsile Ngakaagae confirmed that he, along with his entire office, has recused themselves following the filing of fresh criminal charges against Seretse and his co-defendants. These charges, brought forth by the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC), are...

Deportation of illegal immigrants suspended

The government has quietly suspended the deportation of illegal immigrants, primarily from neighboring Zimbabwe, a move driven by a deepening financial crisis that has strained state resources. The Ministry of Home Affairs, responsible for this decision, has halted what had been a costly operation draining nearly P5 million monthly from the national coffers. Information obtained by this publication reveals that the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, operating under the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs,...

DIS report warned BDP

Botswana’s intelligence apparatus reportedly sounded the alarm years in advance of the catastrophic collapse that has since engulfed the nation’s healthcare system. A classified report, warning of looming medicine shortages and systemic failure, allegedly went ignored, paving the way for the current emergency. The Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS) is said to have deployed a specialized team to scrutinize the Ministry of Health, with a particular focus on its procurement division amid escalating corruption...

Four arrested in P3 Million rhino horn heist in Gantsi

In a significant development that marks a turning point in Botswana’s longstanding battle against rhino poaching, law enforcement agencies have apprehended four suspects linked to the killing of a rhinoceros and the illicit harvesting of its horn at a private ranch in Gantsi. Authorities describe the operation as a meticulously planned covert mission. The horn, estimated to be worth approximately P3 million on the black market, was reportedly already destined for sale. Intelligence indicates the...

BPC sets ambitious goal of 1.5GW in renewable energy expansion 

Botswana is navigating a deliberate transformation of its energy landscape, with solar power emerging as a cornerstone in the quest for dependable and sustainable electricity. Guided by the Botswana National Energy Policy and the Integrated Resource Plan, the government is determined to meet the country’s growing electricity demand while underpinning economic growth and honoring climate commitments. Central to this effort is the state-owned Botswana Power Corporation (BPC), which has relied heavily on collaborations with Independent...

Probe intensifies Kweneng Land Board impasse 

  It has now been a full year since the suspension of Kweneng Land Board chairman Kganag Kgang, a decision that remains unresolved and continues to attract scrutiny amid widespread criticism of the authorities’ opaque communication.   In the wake of his suspension, the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture commissioned Blue Scorpion Consultancy to investigate allegations associated with Kgang’s leadership. Yet, the inquiry itself has become mired in controversy, with persistent doubts cast on its...