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Monday, 22 June 2026
Botswana’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Monday, 22 June 2026
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Politics

Lesotho PM's use of Botswana presidential jet sparks scrutiny

The News

The use of Botswana's presidential aircraft OK1 to transport Lesotho's Prime Minister has drawn criticism amid government spending concerns. President Boko described it as normal regional assistance, but opposition leader Dumelang Saleshando characterized the deployment as abuse of state resources given the country's fiscal strain.

Why it matters

Presidential jet use for a foreign leader's transport during fiscal strain triggers high-level political scrutiny and opposition criticism over government resource allocation.

6 hours ago · Mmegi

Politics

  1. Lesotho PM's use of Botswana presidential jet sparks scrutiny

    The use of Botswana's presidential aircraft OK1 to transport Lesotho's Prime Minister has drawn criticism amid government spending concerns. President Boko described it as normal regional assistance, but opposition leader Dumelang Saleshando characterized the deployment as abuse of state resources given the country's fiscal strain.

    6 hours ago · Mmegi

  2. Court challenge to minister's reinstatement of Palapye council chair

    Ikanyeng is seeking an interdict to halt Minister Motshegwa's decision to reinstate councillor Kabo Ketshogile as Palapye council chairperson, arguing it unlawfully overrides a council resolution that removed him through a vote of no confidence. Motshegwa suspended the full council and its committees following the motion of no confidence against Ketshogile.

    6 hours ago · Mmegi

  3. Palapye council dispute escalates amid UDC internal tensions

    Leadership wrangles have intensified following the removal of former council chairperson Kabo Ketshogile, triggering legal action. A BPF member has taken PDC and the Ministry of Local Government to court to challenge the minister's endorsement of Ketshogile as PDC chairperson, citing a dispute over councillor voting.

    6 hours ago · Mmegi

  4. Mayor-town clerk conflict over council meeting adjournment emerges

    The town clerk Katjiontjwa declared the mayor's decision to adjourn a full council meeting for 14 days as unlawful, citing lack of councillor consultation and absence of the required two-thirds majority vote under the Local Government Act. Disputes between mayors and town clerks over their roles and responsibilities are not uncommon in local authorities, though each position's mandate is defined in the Local Government Act.

    6 hours ago · Mmegi

  5. DIS agents ask court to dismiss government shift-allowance appeal

    Lawyers representing Department of Immigration and Security agents contended that government's appeal lacks merit and that the High Court correctly found the government acted unlawfully by failing to pay shift allowances prescribed under the Public Service Regulations.

    6 hours ago · Mmegi

  6. PAC refers Gabane project to DCEC over cost escalation

    The Parliamentary Accounts Committee referred the Gabane project to the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime after the project's final cost reached approximately P285 million, a significant escalation from its original contract sum of approximately P214 million. The project involved construction of stormwater drainage infrastructure, 21.2 kilometres of bitumen-standard roads and 4.5 kilometres of street lighting under the Economic Stimulus Programme.

    6 hours ago · Mmegi

  7. IEC pursuing digital reforms for voter registration and electoral data

    Appearing before the Public Accounts Committee, the IEC revealed it is rolling out technology-driven reforms to modernise voter registration, manage electoral data more efficiently, and eliminate administrative errors. The IEC head stated as personal opinion that voters in Botswana do not want electronic voting machines, citing previous attempts to introduce the technology.

    6 hours ago · Mmegi

Business

  1. Stanbic Bank maintains stable profitability in 2025

    Stanbic Bank Botswana maintained stable profitability in 2025 despite tighter margins and rising funding costs in a challenging operating environment, according to the bank's Integrated Report 2025.

    2 hours ago · The Botswana Gazette

  2. Standard Chartered to maintain operations during Botswana sale

    Standard Chartered Bank Botswana says it will continue operating with the same focus on clients, employees and stakeholders as it progresses toward the sale of its local franchise.

    2 hours ago · The Botswana Gazette

  3. Botswana food and beverage imports decline to P1.04 billion

    Botswana imported food and beverages worth P1.04 billion in February 2026, down 17.7 percent from P1.26 billion in January, according to Statistics Botswana figures.

    3 hours ago · Botswana Sunday Standard

Society

  1. Botswana introduces sport-based rehabilitation in prisons

    The government launched the Sports for Rehabilitation and Reintegration Festival at Mahalapye Female Prison, shifting the correctional system from punishment-focused to rehabilitation-centred through sport. The initiative involves the Botswana Prison Service, the Botswana National Olympic Committee, the Botswana National Sport Commission, and community volunteers, with a particular focus on women and children.

    3 hours ago · Botswana Sunday Standard

  2. Lawrence Ofentse Pheto appointed Catholic Bishop of Francistown

    Lawrence Ofentse Pheto has been appointed Bishop of Francistown by Pope Leo XIV. His episcopal ordination will be presided over by the Apostolic Nuncio to Botswana on 27 June.

    3 hours ago · Botswana Sunday Standard

  3. Botswana's elderly learn to identify and avoid online scams

    As cybercriminals increasingly target vulnerable members of society, Botswana's senior citizens are learning how to fight back. Mascom Wireless recently conducted a cybersecurity workshop for elderly residents of Pitsane Village to equip them with knowledge to identify and avoid online scams.

    3 hours ago · Botswana Sunday Standard

  4. Botswana Railways workers strike over salary deductions

    Botswana Transport and General Workers Union members at Botswana Railways have begun industrial action, alleging that deductions made from employees' salaries have not been remitted to the intended institutions.

    3 hours ago · Botswana Sunday Standard

  5. Judge sets aside conviction in Masunga Post Office theft case

    Francistown High Court Judge Nomsa Moatswi has set aside the conviction and sentence against Mosimanegape Magapatona, who was convicted and sentenced to six years imprisonment by Masunga Magistrate Court for breaking into Masunga Post Office and stealing cash and valuables worth over P400,000 on 17 February 2016.

    3 hours ago · Botswana Sunday Standard

Sport

  1. Jwaneng hosts African Individual Chess Championships with 100+ competitors

    More than one hundred chess players from 18 African countries are competing in Jwaneng for the 2026 African Individual Chess Championships, running until 27 June. The event is powered by Debswana and comes during the African Chess Confederation's Golden Jubilee year.

    2 hours ago · Botswana Sunday Standard

  2. Gaborone United to name stadium stand after Dlamini

    Gaborone United has announced that one of the stands at the club's stadium will be named after Kegomoditswe "Degree" Dlamini, who served the club as a player and team manager before passing away this past week. The club honoured his decades of service and dedication, describing him as loyal and committed to placing the club's interests ahead of his own.

    2 hours ago · Botswana Sunday Standard

Tourism & Environment

  1. Tourism sector constrained by investment deficit, BIDPA warns

    Botswana's tourism sector is lagging behind regional competitors due to persistent investment shortfalls, despite the country's globally acclaimed wildlife and natural attractions, according to analysis by BIDPA.

    3 hours ago · Botswana Sunday Standard

Opinion

  1. Executive decisions shape brand strategy, not marketing alone

    Most organisations treat brand as a marketing function, but the smartest recognise that every executive decision—from pricing and hiring to service standards and partnerships—either strengthens or weakens the brand. Real brand strategy is revealed in the boardroom, not in a creative brief.

    3 hours ago · The Botswana Gazette

  2. Botswana must decouple development from diamond reliance

    Botswana's historical development model of increased spending, construction, imports, and state employment succeeded while diamonds sustained it, but a new model is needed that raises wellbeing, productivity, and exports without relying on higher public spending, diamonds, or resource consumption.

    3 hours ago · The Botswana Gazette

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