Botswana Minute.
Tuesday, 16 June 2026
Botswana’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Tuesday, 16 June 2026
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Archive Minute from Tuesday, 16 June 2026

Politics

  1. Forensic audit report on P53 billion remains at President's Office

    A forensic audit report that has drawn public attention for months is held at the Office of the President, while investigators await the document that could lead to a major anti-corruption effort.

    16 June 2026 · Weekend Post

  2. BHC board dismissal intensifies Kgale housing project scrutiny

    The dismissal of the Botswana Housing Corporation board by the Minister of Water and Human Settlement has intensified scrutiny of the multi-billion-pula Kgale housing development, with a P200 million demand surfacing in relation to the project.

    16 June 2026 · Weekend Post

  3. Former minister charged over P4.7 million alleged corruption

    Prosecutors allege that former Minister Moagi accepted P4.7 million from New Energy Company Pty Ltd via Wisecreatives Investments in April 2024 as a reward for issuing prospecting licences in Gantsi, Tsabong, and Tutume. Moagi faces two counts of corruption and money laundering in the case.

    16 June 2026 · Mmegi

  4. Kgafela II seeks R2.5m for South African chieftaincy legal fight

    Kgafela Kgafela II, Paramount Chief of the Bakgatla ba Kgafela, is calling on tribe members to raise R2.5 million to fund his Constitutional Court appeal in South Africa challenging Kgosi Nyalala Pilane's authority over the chieftaincy. Senior advocates handling the matter reportedly charge up to R40,000 per hour.

    16 June 2026 · Weekend Post

  5. Botswana formally accedes to African Youth Charter

    Botswana has formally acceded to the African Youth Charter after nearly two decades, closing what the source describes as an awkward chapter in the country's relationship with young people.

    16 June 2026 · Weekend Post

  6. UDC NEC to decide on protected constituencies for next election

    The UDC's National Executive Committee will decide whether constituencies that were shielded from primary election challenges ahead of the 2024 General Election will retain that protection or be opened to competition in the upcoming electoral cycle.

    16 June 2026 · Weekend Post

Business

  1. Botswana Air Access initiative delivers measurable aviation connectivity gains

    Since its August 2024 launch, Botswana's Air Access initiative has secured new and expanded air routes, including Airlink's three-times-weekly Cape Town–Gaborone service in April 2025, by providing carriers with market data, passenger information, and coordinated stakeholder support to strengthen the country's international aviation network.

    16 June 2026 · Mmegi

  2. Letshego microlender refocuses African expansion strategy

    Letshego Africa, founded in 1998, first expanded outside Botswana in January 2005 by establishing operations in Uganda, skipping regional neighbours in a bold move that distinguished it from more conservative peer companies.

    16 June 2026 · Mmegi

  3. BITC supports exporters to access Chinese market opportunities

    The Botswana Investment and Trade Centre aims to help the country's exporters meet demand at scale, quality, and consistency to access one of the world's largest consumer markets. Through its Exporters Development Programme, BITC supports manufacturers in improving product quality, packaging, and production capacity to meet buyer requirements for China and other target markets.

    16 June 2026 · Mmegi

  4. Entrepreneur develops integrated business technology platform

    Kagiso Rantsha, through Solution Point, is building technology infrastructure designed to connect disparate business systems—customer relationship management, marketing, events, and field operations—to address what he identifies as the core problem of disconnected tools and fragmented organizational experiences despite heavy technology investment.

    16 June 2026 · Weekend Post

  5. BSE reports P20.6 million profit, 17% revenue growth

    The Botswana Stock Exchange recorded profit after tax of P20.6 million for 2025, with revenues rising 17.1% to P78.8 million from P67.3 million in 2024, driven by increased equity trading turnover, new listings, and higher commissions. The exchange has declared dividends of P2.5 million and aims to increase revenue tenfold by 2030.

    16 June 2026 · Weekend Post

  6. Budget deficit narrows to P11.2 billion for fiscal year

    The Finance Ministry reported a budget deficit of P11.2 billion for the first 11 months of the 2025/2026 fiscal year, an improvement from the P14.7 billion deficit recorded during the same period the previous year, according to latest Botswana Economic and Financial Statistics from the Bank of Botswana.

    16 June 2026 · Weekend Post

  7. University of Botswana drives innovation through UniPod hub

    University of Botswana's Innovation Pod (UniPod), supported by the UN Development Programme, hosts startups and innovation programs using advanced technology like 3D printers and laser cutters. The facility aims to bridge academic research and commercial enterprise while supporting Botswana's shift toward a knowledge-based economy.

    16 June 2026 · Weekend Post

  8. SpaceX IPO could drain market liquidity and trigger volatility

    A SpaceX IPO raising $75 billion could drain liquidity from markets and trigger volatility across investor portfolios, according to a warning from deVere Group's CEO Nigel Green, who notes that capital flowing to the tech offering may be withdrawn from existing holdings.

    16 June 2026 · Weekend Post

Mining & Energy

  1. US diamond demand surge boosts Botswana development fund hopes

    De Beers reports increased US consumer spending on natural diamonds, raising hopes for a P7 billion Diamonds for Development Fund created under a recent government partnership. The positive outlook arrives as Botswana's economy has been strained by weak diamond sales over the past two years.

    16 June 2026 · Weekend Post

Agriculture & Land

  1. Letlhakeng District Council plans solar farms and farming commercialisation

    Letlhakeng District Council has identified solar farms in Tshwane and commercialisation of the Malwelwe Agricultural Cluster Farms as measures to strengthen its financial base and increase revenue support grants, alongside plans for a commercial center at the bus rank and outsourced management of bus rank facilities.

    16 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Society

  1. Mokatako village addresses pension exploitation at kgotla meeting

    A men's conference in Mokatako village on 11 June brought attention to the issue of women exploiting elderly pensioners, with local leadership and BDF representatives in attendance deciding the village has had enough of the practice.

    16 June 2026 · Mmegi

  2. Parliament concerned about counterfeit and expired medicines

    Parliament raised concerns about counterfeit medicines and expired drugs during a meeting where the Office of the Ombudsman appeared before a Parliamentary committee to account for its operations. The remarks reflected ongoing concerns about weaknesses in financial controls across government institutions.

    16 June 2026 · Mmegi

  3. Couple robbed at knifepoint in Mogoditshane

    A couple was robbed at knifepoint around 8 pm along the Gaborone-Molepolole road near Mogoditshane Block 9 turn-off while parked in a vehicle, according to police.

    16 June 2026 · Mmegi

  4. Missing Ramokgonami man found dead in village pond

    A man missing for two days was found dead in a village pond in Ramokgonami. Police dismissed community rumours of foul play after conducting a post-mortem examination at the scene.

    16 June 2026 · Mmegi

  5. Passenger killed in truck collision near Matsitama junction

    Police received a report of an accident at around 6:30 am on the A30 road at Matakana settlement near Matsitama Junction involving two trucks travelling in the same direction. One truck, loaded with potatoes, had suffered a tyre puncture and stopped on the roadside, where it was struck by the second truck.

    16 June 2026 · Mmegi

  6. Former Gambling Authority COO sues for P16.7 million defamation

    Potlako Mawande, former Chief Operating Officer of the Gambling Authority, has filed a defamation lawsuit at the Gaborone High Court seeking P16,729,000, alleging he was dismissed based on fabricated evidence and subsequently blacklisted by the Authority through a December 2025 letter to industry licensees that damaged his professional reputation.

    16 June 2026 · Weekend Post

  7. First Lady seeks Bahumagadi support for Mpepu child welfare programme

    First Lady Kaone Boko has appealed to Bahumagadi to help tackle challenges facing children under the Mpepu Programme, which focuses on early childhood development and child protection. She stressed that the programme's success requires engagement from families, communities, traditional leadership, civil society and development partners, not government alone.

    16 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana

  8. Tensions between Batswana, Zimbabweans escalate in Mogoditshane

    Clashes between local residents and Zimbabwean nationals in Mogoditshane have sparked concern among police, with incidents including assaults and property damage reported over the weekend. Police warn the situation could spiral out of control if not addressed urgently.

    16 June 2026 · Mmegi

Culture

  1. Botswana fashion designers showcase statement pieces at pop-up

    Three Botswanan fashion brands—Maru, Tru'D, and Diary 34—exhibited at a pop-up event hosted by 315, a luxury lifestyle consultancy, at Phakalane Golf Estate. The designers, including Trudy Bakwena (founder of Tru'D, established 2019) and Sabine Matsheka (founder of Maru, launched 2020), drew inspiration from Botswana's cultural heritage, with Bakwena's work rooted in traditional garments like sackcloth and leather.

    16 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Sport

  1. Chiefs resume Fortune contract talks amid rival club interest

    Chiefs are in ongoing contract renewal negotiations with 27-year-old forward Fortune, whose current deal expires in December. Despite the club's general manager confirming talks, a source reports growing interest from several top-flight clubs in South Africa and two FNB Premiership clubs monitoring his situation.

    16 June 2026 · Mmegi

  2. Regions await ministry approval for school sports equipment requests

    Regions submitted lists of required sports equipment to the Ministry of Sport and Arts in early 2025, but have not yet received feedback on their requests. The North East Regional Director of Operations cited the high volume of nationwide requests as a strain on government finances and noted uncertainty about whether school sports will follow the previous calendar.

    16 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana

  3. Matakule qualifies for World Athletics U20 Championships

    Wazha Matakule of Lions Dean Athletics Club qualified for the World Athletics U20 Championships by clocking 21.24 in the 200-metre race at a Sua Pan Athletics Club meet, beating the qualifying standard of 21.25. He had previously secured a qualifying time of 10.49 in the 100-metre at the SACA Championships in Mauritius.

    16 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana

  4. BFA women's football management questioned after medal mix-up

    The Botswana Football Association faces renewed scrutiny after Gaborone United Ladies were awarded wrong medals following their 5-1 championship victory over Orapa United Ladies, drawing criticism about the marginalization of women's football despite promises to grow the sport.

    16 June 2026 · Weekend Post

  5. Township Rollers faces unpaid wages, player departures amid crisis

    Botswana's football powerhouse Township Rollers is in financial turmoil, with players demanding payment of up to 12 months' unpaid salaries, bonuses, and rental allowances by end of June. The crisis has triggered senior player departures, including defender and midfielder Mosha Gaolaolwe, who has requested contract termination to move to another club.

    16 June 2026 · Weekend Post

  6. Tebogo advises young sprinter Gout on senior competition pace

    Olympic 200m champion Letsile Tebogo won the Oslo Diamond League in 19.84 seconds, while Australian teenager Gout Gout finished sixth in 20.20 seconds on his senior debut. Tebogo cautioned Gout against rushing into senior competition, advising him to race with age-mates where he is more comfortable, warning that increased racing risks injury.

    16 June 2026 · Weekend Post

Tourism & Environment

  1. Botswana holds 300 tonnes of confiscated elephant ivory

    Botswana stores approximately 300 tonnes of confiscated elephant tusks in government facilities, valued at potentially $60–90 million at international market rates, but the stockpile cannot be sold due to existing international trade restrictions. The seized ivory results from anti-poaching efforts and law enforcement confiscations, and its storage incurs ongoing costs for safeguarding.

    16 June 2026 · Weekend Post

  2. Botswana to ban single-use plastics completely by 2027

    Botswana is planning a complete ban on single-use plastics by 2027, shifting from taxing plastic use to eliminating it outright. The government is willing to forgo the P1.5 million monthly revenue from the plastic levy to protect ecosystems, wildlife, and public health, giving manufacturers and importers time to transition to reusable and biodegradable packaging.

    16 June 2026 · Weekend Post

World & Region

  1. African Continental Free Trade Area aims for 1.4 billion people

    The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is an agreement designed to create a single market for over 1.4 billion people and unlock opportunities for businesses across Africa. The International Trade Centre, led by Pamela Coke-Hamilton, is helping small businesses access international markets as part of efforts to realize the vision.

    16 June 2026 · Mmegi

  2. BMC and BVI expand collaboration with Lesotho on food security

    Botswana Meat Commission and Botswana Vaccine Institute are strengthening collaboration with Lesotho through the inaugural Botswana/Lesotho Bi-National Commission, which aims to boost value-added meat processing, animal health and regional food security. The framework also identifies strategic cooperation areas including agriculture, water management, trade, security and investment.

    16 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana

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