Botswana Minute.
Tuesday, 23 June 2026
Botswana’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Tuesday, 23 June 2026
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Archive Minute from Tuesday, 23 June 2026
Politics

PAC subpoenas officials over government infrastructure cost overruns

The News

Parliament's Public Accounts Committee has begun enforcement action, subpoenaing current and former officials over infrastructure projects with governance issues and cost overruns, and has referred the Gabane Infrastructure Project to the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime. The committee is investigating patterns of poor project preparation and weak contract management documented in Auditor General reports.

23 June 2026 · Weekend Post

Politics

  1. PAC subpoenas officials over government infrastructure cost overruns

    Parliament's Public Accounts Committee has begun enforcement action, subpoenaing current and former officials over infrastructure projects with governance issues and cost overruns, and has referred the Gabane Infrastructure Project to the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime. The committee is investigating patterns of poor project preparation and weak contract management documented in Auditor General reports.

    23 June 2026 · Weekend Post

  2. Defense challenges investigator in Moagi corruption case

    Lawyers for former minister Lefoko Moagi challenged the state's lead investigator on the grounds of the corruption charges filed against him during a courtroom confrontation.

    23 June 2026 · Weekend Post

  3. Moagi corruption trial delayed over witness statement dispute

    The second trial of Moagi on corruption and money laundering charges began before Broadhurst Regional Magistrate, with the defence objecting to a State witness's testimony, arguing the accused had not been given adequate time to review the witness statement and was being ambushed by the State.

    23 June 2026 · Mmegi

  4. UDC widens Tati Siding ward victory to 36-vote margin

    In a by-election, the UDC candidate won 335 votes (37.6%) in Tati Siding, defeating the BDP's 299 votes (33.5%) and increasing the coalition's winning margin from one vote in the 2024 general election to 36 votes. The UDC gained 14 additional votes compared with the general election, demonstrating stronger voter confidence.

    23 June 2026 · Mmegi

  5. Attorney General awaits forensic audit report for legal assessment

    The Attorney General told Parliament that his chambers have yet to receive the forensic audit report from Alvarez & Marsal Middle East Limited, which reportedly found over P33 billion embezzled over a decade. He explained that audit findings do not automatically become court cases and must first go through investigative agencies before the Director of Public Prosecutions can assess them for prosecution or asset recovery.

    23 June 2026 · Mmegi

  6. BDP draws encouragement from Tati by-election second place

    In the Tati by-election, the UDC won with 335 votes while the BDP came second with 299 votes. BDP Secretary General Kentse Rammidi said the party sees the result as a sign of gradual revival and rejected claims that the BDP has become politically irrelevant.

    23 June 2026 · Mmegi

  7. DPP director says no evidence found in P100 billion case

    The Directorate of Public Prosecutions director has stated there is no evidence in the P100 billion 'Butterfly' case and called for the matter to be concluded, noting that no physical docket was found in the DPP office despite former president Seretse Khama Ian Khama's perjury complaint.

    23 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Business

  1. Experts predict further weakening of Botswana Pula

    The Botswana Pula faces the prospect of further decline, driven by a mix of macroeconomic challenges including soaring fuel prices, rising inflation, and diminishing diamond revenues, according to a recent forecast from Fitch Solutions.

    23 June 2026 · Weekend Post

  2. Money laundering risks exposed in Botswana banking sector

    A Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing National Risk Assessment has revealed vulnerabilities in Botswana's commercial banking sector, where tax evaders, corrupt insiders, and money launderers are exploiting financial systems holding over P107.3 billion in deposits.

    23 June 2026 · Weekend Post

  3. BTC launches "Own Your Mark" consumer brand campaign

    Botswana Telecommunications Corporation has launched its "Own Your Mark" consumer brand campaign, partnering with athlete Collen Kebinatshipi as brand ambassador to encourage customers to embrace individuality and reach their potential through the company's network and services.

    23 June 2026 · Weekend Post

  4. Bank of Botswana presents 2025 annual report to cabinet

    The Bank of Botswana Governor presented the bank's 2025 Annual Report during an economic briefing to cabinet in Gaborone, detailing performance outcomes, mandate, and future economic outlook while emphasizing public education in driving economic understanding.

    23 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Mining & Energy

  1. BERA closes six fuel stations for safety and environmental failures

    Botswana's Energy Regulatory Authority has temporarily shut six filling stations, including Engen in Tlokweng and Shell outlets in Sikwane and Lobatse, for breaching safety and environmental standards since May 2026. Deficiencies cited include non-functional oil-water separators, inadequate fire protection systems, and absence of leak monitoring wells.

    23 June 2026 · Weekend Post

  2. De Beers sale imminent, CEO predicts deal in weeks

    De Beers' CEO predicts a sale of the diamond mining and trading company will close within weeks.

    23 June 2026 · Weekend Post

  3. Citizen-owned miner discovers high-grade gold in Tati Greenstone Belt

    Falcon Metal Resources Botswana announced a major gold discovery in February on a tenement near Francistown, with laboratory tests confirming high-grade gold at concentrations of 17.88 grams per ton. The company, partnered with Australia's Jacaranda Natural Resources, is conducting further verification with samples being tested in South Africa.

    23 June 2026 · Weekend Post

Agriculture & Land

  1. National Fodder Strategy aims to reduce imported animal feed

    Botswana's Ministry of Lands and Agriculture has launched the National Fodder Strategy, developed with the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation, to reduce dependence on imported animal feed and lower the dairy import bill while promoting local production of climate-resilient fodder crops like lablab and lucerne.

    23 June 2026 · Mmegi

  2. Botswana Vaccine Institute increases FMD vaccine production capacity

    The Botswana Vaccine Institute Limited is ramping up production and quality testing of foot-and-mouth disease vaccines to meet local and regional demands as Botswana battles recent FMD outbreaks, particularly in zones 3c and 6b.

    23 June 2026 · Weekend Post

  3. Shokomokwa Horticulture Project Delivers First Market Harvest

    The Shokomokwa Agric-Training project near Shorobe, a P2 million facility championed by Wilderness Safari Company, has begun supplying fresh produce to local markets. The project aims to enhance food security, create jobs, train community members in vegetable farming, generate over 10,000 seedlings annually, and supply produce to the eco-tourism industry.

    23 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Society

  1. Unidentified pedestrian killed in early Sunday car accident

    Police say an unidentified pedestrian was struck and killed while attempting to cross the A13 road early Sunday morning. The victim was not carrying identification at the time of the accident.

    23 June 2026 · Mmegi

  2. Serowe man charged with rape following forced oral sex

    A Serowe man has been charged with rape after allegedly forcing his girlfriend into oral sex on a recent Friday night. The woman reported the incident to police, and the suspect has appeared before Serowe Magistrate's Court.

    23 June 2026 · Mmegi

  3. Kgosi warns shebeen operators against late trading, unregulated brews

    Kgosi Cathrine Matlhare of Disaneng Ward has warned shebeen operators in Old Disana against trading beyond stipulated hours and selling unregulated brews, citing concerns about disturbing residents, health complications from a potent ginger concoction, and drugs being sold to schoolchildren.

    23 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Culture

  1. BotsTop5 music show returns for season two on Channel O

    BotsTop5, a music video reaction and countdown show, premieres on Channel O on 26 June 2026 with 20 episodes featuring panels of musicians, DJs, filmmakers and industry personalities rating Botswana music videos to determine chart rankings.

    23 June 2026 · Mmegi

  2. Netflix adapts Zimbabwean novel into 22-episode South African telenovela

    Netflix has released "The Polygamist," a 22-episode telenovela adapted from Zimbabwean author Sue Nyathi's 2012 novel, which follows four women involved with a wealthy banking magnate and explores themes of polygamy, gender dynamics, and wealth in contemporary Zimbabwe.

    23 June 2026 · Weekend Post

  3. 85-year-old musician Mafetsane Bifang preserves Sefhophe heritage

    Mafetsane Bifang, 85, is a celebrated musician in the Sefhophe community who plays the segaba, a traditional handcrafted instrument. Through his music, he has preserved and shared the community's cultural heritage, having won several Presidential Arts Competitions.

    23 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana

  4. KTM Choir tribute concert honors founder Gomolemo Motswaledi

    The Kgalemang Tumediso Motsete (KTM) Choral Choir held a music concert at Swaneng Hill School in Serowe to commemorate the life of late founder Gomolemo Motswaledi, who died at age 44 in a car crash on July 30, 2014. During the event, choir members visited and laid wreaths at the grave sites of Motswaledi and other notable figures including national anthem composer Dr Kgalemang Motsete.

    23 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Sport

  1. BDF commander acts to resolve instability in karate

    Botswana Defence Force Commander General Mpho Mophuting, a respected Sensei, has stepped in to address instability affecting the sport after learning of the problems.

    23 June 2026 · Mmegi

  2. BFA launches Impact Programme to restructure football governance nationwide

    The Botswana Football Association, led by newly elected COSAFA president Tariq Babitseng, is implementing the BFA Impact Programme, a comprehensive initiative to overhaul governance, funding, and development of football across the nation. The programme introduces a tiered classification system for Regional Football Associations, categorizing them as Tier 1 (high capacity), Tier 2 (emerging), or Tier 3 (development), with tailored development responsibilities for each tier.

    23 June 2026 · Weekend Post

  3. Record ten African teams compete at FIFA 2026 World Cup

    The 2026 FIFA World Cup marks an unprecedented milestone with ten African teams competing, demonstrating the growing strength of African football. Morocco, the 2022 semifinalist, leads the continent's campaign alongside Senegal and Ivory Coast, all showing promise though with moments of inconsistency.

    23 June 2026 · Weekend Post

  4. Youth sports clinic brings coaches, athletes together in Tonota

    Youth athletes from different sporting codes attended a one-day Sports Exchange Development Coaching Clinic at Shashe River School in Tonota, where coaches and athletes shared experiences to develop sport collectively. Organizers said the clinic aimed to identify and nurture talent across various disciplines and expressed hope that future editions would attract more sporting codes and sponsorship.

    23 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana

World & Region

  1. Police identify two Ecoplexus suspects in Cameroon and Philippines

    Botswana police have identified two additional key suspects believed to be behind the Ecoplexus pyramid scheme, who are thought to be hiding in Cameroon and the Philippines.

    23 June 2026 · Weekend Post

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