Botswana Minute.
Tuesday, 28 July 2026
Botswana’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Tuesday, 28 July 2026
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Botswanan press · Organization

Botswana Police Service

Also known as: BPS

Law enforcement agency that launches vehicle leasing pilots, investigates cases for prosecution review, and coordinates security at national events.

2026-04-202026-07-28

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. July 2026
  2. Weekend Post

    As recent anti-counterfeit raids by the Companies and Intellectual Property Authority and Botswana Police Service show, protecting creative works safeguards public trust and economic integrity.

    The Business Behind the Name: Are local artists building assets or just making hits?
  3. Daily News Botswana

    Botswana Police Service has launched a vehicle leasing pilot project in Maun and Gaborone as part of efforts to tackle increasingly complex crime and improve operational readiness across the country.

    Police launch vehicle leasing pilot project
  4. Daily News Botswana

    The event marked the launch of the Botswana Police Service Vehicle Leasing Pilot Project in partnership with Car Rentals Botswana (Pty) Ltd, trading as Avis Rent A Car aimed to ensuring that police officers had reliable mobility to carry out their duties whenever and wherever the

    Mohwasa commits to maintain public order
  5. Daily News Botswana

    He urged all participants and visitors to celebrate responsibly, protect public property and cooperate fully with the Botswana Police Service and emergency personnel.

    Kokotsha derby spurs economic diversification
  6. June 2026
  7. Mmegi

    ous transaction reports linked to a range of criminal activities, including fraud, tax crimes, corruption, drug-related offences and illegal deposit-taking.The FIA also disseminated 102 financial intelligence reports to competent authorities, including the Botswana Police Service

    FIA flags P481M suspicious transactions
  8. Mmegi

    According to Bayford, the process requires the findings to first be referred to investigative agencies such as the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) and the Botswana Police Service.

    AG yet to see forensic report
  9. Weekend Post

    He also notes that the Botswana Police Service has launched an investigation into the allegedly fraudulent documents.

    Ex-Gambling Authority COO files P16.7 million defamation suit
  10. Daily News Botswana

    The Botswana Defence Force (BDF), Botswana Police Service (BPS) and Botswana Prisons Service (BPS) traded their operational gear for sport jerseys on Friday, joining forces for the annual Joint Law Enforcement Games in Francistown.

    Law enforcement agencies unite in purpose
  11. Weekend Post

    The Botswana Police Service continues to document high rates of offences tied to GBV, including murder, rape, child defilement, and violence against children, crimes that often go hand in hand with deep social fractures.

    GBV cases top 7,500 in first quarter of 2026
  12. Weekend Post

    The Botswana Police Service (BPS) has firmly rejected claims that the unit has been suspended, affirming that it remains fully operational in the country’s two largest cities amid growing speculation about its future.

    BPS denies reports of elite crime unit shutdown
Culture

Botswana artists missing long-term asset value through IP protection gaps

The News

Botswana's music and entertainment industry generates millions through concerts and sponsorships but loses long-term value because creators rarely register intellectual property like trademarks and brand equity. While the country ranks 58th globally in innovation inputs, it falls to 116th in creative outputs, reflecting a broader African trend where national trademark registries account for less than two percent of global filings annually.

22 hours ago · Weekend Post

Yesterday

  1. Botswana artists missing long-term asset value through IP protection gaps

    Botswana's music and entertainment industry generates millions through concerts and sponsorships but loses long-term value because creators rarely register intellectual property like trademarks and brand equity. While the country ranks 58th globally in innovation inputs, it falls to 116th in creative outputs, reflecting a broader African trend where national trademark registries account for less than two percent of global filings annually.

    22 hours ago · Weekend Post

  2. Police launch vehicle leasing pilot in Maun and Gaborone

    Botswana Police Service has launched a 12-month vehicle leasing pilot project with Avis Rent A Car, acquiring 28 operational vehicles (9 for Broadhurst Policing Area, 19 for Maun Policing Area) with comprehensive maintenance and insurance included, as part of efforts to modernise resources and improve operational readiness.

    27 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana

  3. Government hands over 28 vehicles to Botswana Police

    The minister for State President, Defence and Security handed over 28 leased vehicles to the Botswana Police on Friday at Maun Sports Complex, marking the launch of the Botswana Police Service Vehicle Leasing Pilot Project in partnership with Avis Rent A Car, aimed at ensuring police officers have reliable mobility to carry out their duties.

    27 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Wednesday 22 July

  1. Kokotsha July Derby drives rural economic growth, minister says

    Minister of Justice Nelson Ramaotwana praised the Kokotsha July Derby as a model of rural community economic development, noting the event has grown rapidly since its 2023 inception and now attracts visitors from across Botswana, creating opportunities for local entrepreneurs, vendors, and service providers.

    22 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Monday 29 June

  1. FIA analyses P481M in suspicious transactions across crimes

    The Financial Intelligence Agency received and analysed 850 suspicious transaction reports linked to fraud, tax crimes, corruption, drug-related offences and illegal deposit-taking, and disseminated 102 financial intelligence reports to authorities including the Botswana Police Service and DCEC for investigation.

    29 June 2026 · Mmegi

Tuesday 23 June

  1. 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

Tuesday 16 June

  1. 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

Monday 15 June

  1. Law enforcement agencies compete in annual Francistown games

    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

Tuesday 9 June

  1. Over 7,500 gender-based violence cases recorded in first quarter 2026

    Botswana recorded more than 7,500 gender-based violence cases in the first quarter of 2026, according to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Gender Affairs. Of the 7,517 cases logged from January to March, 2,228 were classified as gender-based violence incidents, with 520 rape cases and 487 defilement cases reported.

    9 June 2026 · Weekend Post

  2. BPS denies elite crime unit shutdown amid scaling-back reports

    The Botswana Police Service has rejected claims that the City Police Unit (CPU), launched in December 2023, has been suspended, though sources say the government has quietly scaled back the initiative since the UDC took office in 2024, citing resource shortages and a reported shift toward the Safer City Project.

    9 June 2026 · Weekend Post

  3. Former Police Commissioner Simon Hirschfeld laid to rest

    Simon Hirschfeld, Botswana's first Motswana Police Commissioner who served 39 years in law enforcement and spent 24 years leading the Botswana Police Service, was buried at Phomolong Memorial Park in Gaborone with a traditional police funeral ceremony.

    9 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Wednesday 3 June

  1. Police warn spreaders of fake news face criminal prosecution

    The Botswana Police Service has warned against the spread of fake news and misinformation on social media, cautioning that those who create or share false information could face criminal prosecution.

    3 June 2026 · The Botswana Gazette

Tuesday 2 June

  1. Minister Ramaotwana awaits decision on six Mexican fugitives' extradition

    Justice Minister Nelson Ramaotwana has yet to decide whether to extradite six Mexican fugitives arrested nearly six months ago to Mozambique, where they face drug-related and organized crime charges. The delay reflects broader regional concerns over cross-border drug trafficking and organized crime networks operating in Botswana.

    2 June 2026 · Weekend Post

Monday 1 June

  1. Mephato help fight FMD at village level

    Mephato (community patrols) at the village level are taking a frontline role in fighting foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) alongside the Department of Veterinary Services, marshalling farmers to participate in vaccination activities. Mophato wa Mabeleakgomo from Mokatako and Molete villages, formed in 2023 by villagers led by Kgosi Omphitlhetse Manyeneng, have committed to protecting their territory.

    1 June 2026 · Mmegi

Wednesday 20 May

  1. Minister calls for private sector collaboration with government

    Minister for State President, Defence and Security Moeti Mohwasa has called on the private sector to collaborate with the government on its development agenda, citing budgetary constraints that prevent the government from managing service delivery alone. He commended companies like Dulux Botswana for their corporate social responsibility efforts, specifically highlighting the Ikageng Public Works Programme renovation of Jwaneng police station.

    20 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Friday 15 May

  1. Serowe prepares for former President Mogae funeral ceremonies

    Serowe residents cleaned and repaired the village ahead of body viewing ceremonies for the late former president at the main Kgotla, with security and ceremonial arrangements coordinated by the Botswana Defence Force, Botswana Police Service, and tribal leaders. Kgosi Bakae Khumo said the community is working with the family to give Mogae the respect and dignity he deserves.

    15 May 2026 · Mmegi

Saturday 25 April

  1. Police hand Tshedu investigation to DPP for prosecution review

    The Botswana Police Service has completed its investigation into the Tshedu case and transferred findings to the Director of Public Prosecutions for legal review to determine criminal liability. The DPP is expected to provide feedback by mid-May on whether the evidence meets the threshold for prosecution.

    25 April 2026 · Mmegi

Monday 20 April

  1. EU suspends beef imports from Botswana over FMD outbreak

    The European Union has suspended beef imports from Botswana's larger foot and mouth disease (FMD) free zones following an FMD outbreak in Zone 11. The World Organisation for Animal Health also suspended the FMD free status of the affected zone, and disease surveillance has detected FMD in three additional crushes, prompting movement bans and vaccination efforts.

    20 April 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Botswana Police Service — Botswanan press coverage · Botswana Minute