Also known as: BDF
Botswana Defence Force — military organization conducting training, regional defense cooperation exercises, and operations including border security and infrastructure support.
News reports
Order a long-term news report on Botswana Defence Force
Every mention in the Botswanan press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
Mmegi
Chief Justice, Gaolapelwe Ketlogetswe sentenced the former Botswana Defence Force (BDF) soldier to life imprisonment on each of the two counts of murder he was convicted for, warning that the convict could continue to pose a danger to women. …
Death row convict handed two life termsBotswana Sunday Standard
… Elite Botswana Defence Force (BDF) commandos were deployed to secure the transition to incoming Acting Director General Aobakwe Monamo, turning what should have been a routine change of leadership into a high stakes confrontation over who controls the country’s powerful intellige …
Magosi standoff sparks security dramaMmegi
… The circular was distributed across the upper structures of the public service, including Permanent Secretaries, the Attorney General, Commander of the Botswana Defence Force, Commissioner of Police, Director General of the Directorate of Intelligence and Security, Director Gener …
Putting Botswana’s public service shake-up battle in contextDaily News Botswana
… The procession set off from various points in the capital, led by the Botswana Defence Force, Botswana Police Service and Botswana Prisons Service, before converging at the Main Mall for the main programme. …
Botswana celebrates in styleDaily News Botswana
… The mood then shifted from celebration to reflection as the Botswana Defence Force took spectators back to 1966 through a retreat parade. …
Botswana relives 1966 at Diamond JubileeWeekend Post
… The Botswana Defence Force spent billions on vehicles, armor, planes, and even food from certain suppliers at inflated costs. …
Why Is Private Investment in Public Infrastructure Suddenly a Problem?Daily News Botswana
The Botswana Defence Force (BDF) and Namibia Defence Force (NDF) have reaffirmed their commitment to regional peace and security through the launch of joint military exercise, Tshwaragano III. …
BDF and NDF reaffirm commitment to peaceDaily News Botswana
… On housing, the minister further noted that former Tati Nickel mine houses had been sold to Botswana Defence Force. …
Govt to compensate former BCL mine workersWeekend Post
… The government has also made significant progress on a long-standing grievance: the pensions of members of the Botswana Defence Force. …
Mohwasa points to delivery at Midterm, but flagship promises remain incompleteDaily News Botswana
… He further noted defense training collaboration, highlighting that the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) commander was among those trained in the USA. …
US-Botswana relations real and testedChief Justice Gaolapelwe Ketlogetswe sentenced a former Botswana Defence Force soldier to life imprisonment on each of two murder convictions, citing psychiatric evidence of antisocial personality disorder and warning the convict could pose a danger to women.
22 October 2026 · Mmegi →
Chief Justice Gaolapelwe Ketlogetswe sentenced a former Botswana Defence Force soldier to life imprisonment on each of two murder convictions, citing psychiatric evidence of antisocial personality disorder and warning the convict could pose a danger to women.
22 October 2026 · Mmegi →
An explosive power struggle at the Directorate of Intelligence and Security ended with an extraordinary military intervention this week after outgoing Director General Brigadier Peter Magosi allegedly refused to vacate office following the end of his contract. Elite Botswana Defence Force commandos were deployed to secure the transition to incoming Acting Director General Aobakwe Monamo.
19 October 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →
The Leadership Transformation Programme, initially framed as a civil service revitalisation effort, has triggered disputes over whether the voluntary management initiative requires consultation with trade unions, leading to High Court applications, temporary suspensions, and renewed legal challenges between the Directorate of Public Service Management and public-sector unions.
12 October 2026 · Mmegi →
A colourful carnival procession featuring military, police, dancers, scouts and traditional performers converged at Gaborone's Main Mall on Wednesday as Botswana celebrated its 60th independence anniversary. President Duma Boko and visiting Mozambique President Daniel Chapo joined crowds and participated in traditional dance performances alongside community groups.
1 October 2026 · Daily News Botswana →
Botswana celebrated its Diamond Jubilee pre-Independence at the National Stadium on Tuesday night with performances from police and prison service bands, speeches from dignitaries including President Duma Boko, Mozambique President Daniel Chapo, and a fireworks display. The event, themed Building Resilience, Driving Prosperity, drew large crowds despite cold drizzle.
1 October 2026 · Daily News Botswana →
A Weekend Post opinion piece defends private-sector partnerships for building public infrastructure in Botswana, citing the African Hero initiative's Block 7 school and clinic project—funded without government spending on construction, with government providing land and managing operations—as a case for private capital filling gaps the government says it cannot afford.
14 September 2026 · Weekend Post →
The Botswana Defence Force and Namibia Defence Force have launched joint military exercise Tshwaragano III in Lobatse to deepen operational effectiveness, exchange professional knowledge, and strengthen regional peace and security cooperation amid evolving cross-border security challenges.
3 September 2026 · Daily News Botswana →
The Minister for State President, Defence and Security said government will compensate former BCL Mine workers once the ongoing liquidation process is formally completed, but clarified compensation will not take the exact form of the original 18-month soft landing agreement. The minister acknowledged several commitments made to employees following the mine's closure in October 2016 remain unfulfilled, citing delays due to legal complexities.
1 September 2026 · Daily News Botswana →
Botswana's government presented a midterm review claiming substantial progress on social protection, debt settlement, and legal reforms, while acknowledging that several prominent promises remain unfulfilled. The old-age pension stands at 1,400 pula per month instead of the pledged 1,800 pula, the tertiary student allowance is 2,200 pula instead of 2,500 pula, and the free sanitary pads program has been hampered by supply interruptions.
31 August 2026 · Weekend Post →
President Advocate Duma Boko described the United States as an important development partner and praised outgoing US Ambassador Howard Van Vranken for strengthening long-standing ties between the two nations, particularly through educational and professional exchanges, Peace Corps contributions, and defense training collaboration.
25 August 2026 · Daily News Botswana →
A total of 299 non-commissioned officers of the Botswana Defence Force have completed a six-month basic military training course. The Minister for State President, Defence and Security commended the graduates for their resilience and patriotism, emphasizing the importance of upholding the honour of the uniform and government priorities including strengthened border security through technology.
17 August 2026 · Daily News Botswana →
A senior Botswana Defence Force officer sought medical attention at Mogoditshane BDF Clinic on Saturday and was transferred to Bokamoso Private Hospital, where he remains in critical condition. Police are investigating the incident but have yet to establish the circumstances, those responsible, or where the attack occurred.
12 August 2026 · Mmegi →
The BDF and US army have reaffirmed their shared commitment to global peace and democratic ideals while officially opening the multinational military exercise Southern Accord 2026. Major General Molefi Seikanyo stated that modern security challenges require collective action and deep-rooted partnerships, emphasizing that no single nation can address these issues in isolation.
11 August 2026 · Daily News Botswana →
Botswana Defence Force retirees have escalated a long-running pension dispute, demanding permission to march to President Duma Boko's Office and threatening High Court action over the government's failure to respond for nearly two months to a request to deliver a petition about 1/375 Transfer Value Enhancement pension payments.
10 August 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →
Mpho Baleseng and 10 other officers have successfully won a court case declaring they are officers of the Botswana Defence Force Military Police rather than members of the intelligence agency, and they have been paid over P8.1 million.
28 July 2026 · Mmegi →
Botswana and Angola are preparing to sign a Defence Cooperation Agreement aimed at strengthening joint efforts against regional security threats including organised cross-border crime, cybercrime, and wildlife trafficking. The agreement will provide a framework for deeper military cooperation, intelligence sharing, and joint operations, with technical experts from both countries refining the Memorandum of Agreement ahead of signing during an upcoming State Visit.
28 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana →
A whistle-blower report presented to the Public Accounts Committee on Defence and Finance has exposed that the C-130 aircraft transferred to the Botswana Defence Force represent a lifecycle commitment rather than a straightforward donation, potentially creating a multi-billion Pula financial obligation for Botswana.
14 July 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →
A 350-kilometre veterinary cordon fence being constructed from Ramotswa to Werda to contain Foot and Mouth Disease is on track following its June 27 launch. The National Disaster Management Office director reported considerable progress and confirmed the Botswana Prisons Service and Defence Force will provide additional manpower to support the project.
11 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana →
The BDF men's basketball team is preparing to advance to a tournament after the women's side did not qualify. Coach Tebogo Makačana said the men have a responsibility to compensate for the women's performance and that the team finished preparations ready to compete.
3 July 2026 · Mmegi →
Police IX Ladies Softball Club secured qualification for the Selibe Phikwe Softball Extravaganza after surviving elimination matches at the National Diamond Grounds, edging rivals BDF and keeping their title defence alive.
1 July 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →
The inaugural BDF Open Karate Championship and a competing tournament called 'Ngwana wa Mo Africa' took place at the same time, revealing ongoing divisions within Botswana's karate community despite efforts by BDF Commander General Mpho Mophuting to unite the sport.
26 June 2026 · Mmegi →
The Botswana Defence Force-linked SSKB Karate Club won multiple titles at the BDF Karate Open Championships held at the UB Indoor Sports Arena.
24 June 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →
The Botswana Defence Force has committed to relocating personnel from asbestos structures at Paje and Pandamatenga Base Camps by next year, with full dismantling and disposal targeted for completion within three years. The project is estimated to cost around P41 million and will require engagement of a foreign company, though it was not budgeted for the current financial year due to fiscal challenges.
24 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →
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 →
At the official opening of the BDF Karate Open Championships at UB Indoor Sports Arena, General Mophuting called for karate leadership to unite across federations and styles, appealing to coaches to revive the sport's founding principles and elevate karate to its former glory.
22 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →
The Botswana Defence Force Karate Open Championships scheduled for 20 June 2026 aim to bring together karate athletes from across Botswana in a national competition focused on development, discipline, and performance.
17 June 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →
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 →
The Botswana Defence Force, Police Service, and Prisons Service competed in the annual Joint Law Enforcement Games in Francistown on Friday to strengthen collaboration and unity. The BDF won the overall championship, followed by police in second place and prisons in third.
15 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →
A BOPA reporter reflects on personal memories of the June 14, 1985 South African Defence Force raid on Gaborone, an event that changed Botswana and whose impact still resonates for those who lived through it.
15 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →
On June 14, 1985, Operation Plecksy—a cross-border raid by the South African Defence Force hunting anti-apartheid activists—killed at least 12 people in Gaborone's Bontleng neighbourhood. The Botswana Defence Force's restrained response in the hours that followed is credited with preventing escalation to full-scale war.
15 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →