Tuesday, 27 October 2026

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Tuesday, 27 October 2026

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Botswanan press · Organization

Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime

Botswana's government agency investigating and prosecuting corruption and economic crime cases across public and private sectors.

2026-05-202026-10-27

News reports

Order a long-term news report on Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime

Every mention in the Botswanan press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

September 2026
21 SeptWeekend Post
When Botlhale Makgekgenene walked out of the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime last week, she did so the way she had run the agency: deliberately, without theatricals, and with a quiet insistence that the institution she was leaving behind was in better shape than the …
Ex-DCEC boss wanted contract renewal
16 SeptDaily News Botswana
… According to the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC), the fraud charges relate to allegations that in February 2023, the accused defrauded CEDA in connection with a project-specific loan, which was paid but whose intended project was allegedly not implemented. …
Balopi and co-accused to appear on October 28
14 SeptWeekend Post
… Section 34 of the Corruption and Economic Crime Act, a provision that legal scholars call one of the broadest “illicit enrichment” laws on the African continent, gives the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime, or DCEC, the authority to investigate anyone whose wealth appe …
A law that makes you explain your wealth
14 SeptWeekend Post
A confidential lifestyle audit by the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime lays bare a portfolio of luxury cars, South African vineyard land, designer watches, and sprawling cattle empires – raising uncomfortable questions about how a public servant amassed such a fortune …
Inside Mpho Balopi’s vast wealth
14 SeptMmegi
Questions surrounding Minerals and Energy Minister Bogolo Kenewendo have taken a political turn after unconfirmed allegations that she may be under investigation by the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC).Responding to questions from Mmegi, Kenewendo’s private sec …
Kenewendo caught between alleged DCEC probe, push-out
8 SeptMmegi
… The about turn follows revelations that Balopi told Rammidi last week that the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) and Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had prepared charges against him. …
Rammidi somersaults on his earlier position
7 SeptMmegi
… Balopi, who took over the BDP presidency as the party sought to rebuild following its historic defeat now faces criminal allegations linked to his business interests.Corruption busting agency Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) alleges, among other things, that CE …
Balopi’s fraud charges put BDP in the dock
3 SeptThe Botswana Gazette
… SESUPO RANTSIMAKO The Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) has moved to play down the sharp rise in reported corruption allegations, saying the growing number of reports does not automatically mean corruption itself is increasing in…
DCEC Downplays Corruption Report Surge
August 2026
27 AugDaily News Botswana
The Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) has called for stronger collaboration with the media as part of efforts to prevent corruption, educate the public on reporting mechanisms and ensuring that credible information reaches communities. …
DCEC calls for media support to strengthen anti-corruption drive
26 AugMmegi
The State’s consent effectively paves the way for judgment in Khama’s favour over statements he says were defamatory and damaging to his reputation.Khama is suing the Attorney General, Jako Hubona, the Director General of the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) an …
AG consents to judgment over defamatory allegations against Khama

Politics

Former CEDA CEO Thabo Thamane faces corruption allegations

The News

Investigation dockets from the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime allege that Thabo Thamane, who led the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency for more than a decade from 2011, presided over a pattern of alleged abuse, conflict of interest, and misappropriated millions. Most allegations remain untested in court and several dockets are still open or await prosecutor decisions.

19 October 2026 · Weekend Post →

Monday 19 October

Former CEDA CEO Thabo Thamane faces corruption allegations
Investigation dockets from the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime allege that Thabo Thamane, who led the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency for more than a decade from 2011, presided over a pattern of alleged abuse, conflict of interest, and misappropriated millions. Most allegations remain untested in court and several dockets are still open or await prosecutor decisions.
19 October 2026 · Weekend Post →

Monday 12 October

High Court dismisses State's attempt to seize vehicle in corruption case
Before facing corruption charges related to a P272 million infrastructure tender, former MP John Thiite and businessman Nicholas Zakheem saw the State lose a key component of its case when the Francistown High Court dismissed the DPP's application to forfeit a luxury vehicle, finding a lack of admissible evidence linking it to proceeds of crime.
12 October 2026 · Weekend Post →
Bakang escalates DCEC prosecutorial powers dispute to High Court
Bakang Seretse and three others have filed an appeal against a ruling by Broadhurst Regional Magistrate Mareledi Dipate that permitted DCEC officers to continue prosecuting the National Petroleum Fund case. The defendants are facing 63 counts including stealing by agent, money laundering, forgery of an official document and conspiracy to defraud government.
12 October 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →
DCEC widens anti-corruption investigations across government
The Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime is pursuing corruption cases ranging from a headteacher accepting P700 to former ministers facing charges linked to a billion Pula road contract.
12 October 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →
Botswana's public service restructure sparks legal and union battles
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 →

Thursday 8 October

Seretse urges protection of Botswana's 60-year development legacy
Former DCEC director general Rose Nunu Seretse has challenged Batswana to safeguard the foundations that have driven the country's transformation from one of the world's poorest nations at independence in 1966 to an upper-middle-income economy, attributing this progress to founding leaders' deliberate choices in governance, democracy, education, infrastructure and prudent mineral wealth management.
8 October 2026 · Weekend Post →
Seretse appeals to disqualify prosecutor in Petroleum Fund case
Businessman Bakang Seretse has filed a High Court appeal challenging a lower court's decision to deny his bid to remove DCEC executive Thabo Malambane from prosecuting him in a National Petroleum Fund case. Seretse argues the officials have no lawful standing to prosecute, citing a dispute over whether a written authority to prosecute from the Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions amounts to a valid delegation of power.
8 October 2026 · Weekend Post →

Wednesday 7 October

Former BQA deputy CEO charged in DCEC corruption case
Former Botswana Qualifications Authority Deputy Chief Executive Officer Dr Gillian Keneilwe Mmolotsa has been brought before court as part of the DCEC's widening 2026 prosecution trail against senior former public-sector officials.
7 October 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →

Monday 21 September

DCEC alleges Molale directed Ghanzi road contract appointment
The Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime says former Minister of Transport and Public Works Eric Molale, in his capacity as Minister in 2024, directed the ministry's Permanent Secretary to directly appoint Tau Grading and Building Construction (Pty) Ltd for the construction of the Ghanzi-New Xade road.
21 September 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →
Lawyer Batlhalefi Moeletsi named anti-corruption director general
President Duma Boko has appointed Batlhalefi Moeletsi, a lawyer with nearly two decades of courtroom practice, as Director General of the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime.
21 September 2026 · Weekend Post →
Ex-DCEC boss Makgekgenene leaves directorate
Botlhale Makgekgenene has departed the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime, where she led the agency in what she describes as improving its institutional condition.
21 September 2026 · Weekend Post →

Wednesday 16 September

Balopi and seven co-accused granted bail, return October 28
BDP president Mpho Balopi and seven co-accused were granted bail on Wednesday after arraignment before the Broadhurst Regional Magistrates Court on seven criminal charges—two counts of fraud, one count of attempting to obtain by false pretence, and four counts of money laundering—arising from transactions involving the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency.
16 September 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Monday 14 September

Botswana's illicit enrichment law reverses burden of proof
Section 34 of Botswana's Corruption and Economic Crime Act allows the DCEC to investigate anyone whose wealth appears to exceed their known income, and if they cannot offer satisfactory explanation, they are deemed guilty of corruption under the statute—no specific corrupt act needs to be proven.
14 September 2026 · Weekend Post →
Corruption directorate audits official's luxury assets and wealth
A confidential lifestyle audit by the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime documents a portfolio including luxury cars, South African vineyard land, designer watches, and cattle holdings, raising questions about how a public servant accumulated such wealth.
14 September 2026 · Weekend Post →
Unconfirmed allegations surround minister Kenewendo over DCEC probe
Unconfirmed allegations have emerged that Minerals and Energy Minister Bogolo Kenewendo may be under investigation by the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime, reportedly concerning her role in De Beers negotiations and property acquisition in Phakalane. Kenewendo's office denied awareness of any investigation, and the DCEC has not publicly confirmed one.
14 September 2026 · Mmegi →

Tuesday 8 September

Party central committee delays action on president corruption charges
Rammidi reversed his earlier stance, now defending the party's central committee decision to withhold action on president Mpho Balopi pending further information. Balopi is set to appear before a regional magistrate on September 16 facing corruption charges related to CEDA loans, after appearing before the committee to present his account.
8 September 2026 · Mmegi →

Monday 7 September

BDP president Balopi faces fraud charges over CEDA transactions
Balopi, leader of the opposition BDP, faces criminal charges linked to alleged irregular Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) transactions involving millions of pula. The Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime alleges that CEDA was deceived into releasing P669,842.11 for billboard work never executed, and that Balopi and a co-accused attempted to obtain P1.399 million using false documents.
7 September 2026 · Mmegi →

Thursday 3 September

DCEC cautions rise in reports doesn't mean more corruption
The Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime has cautioned against equating a rise in corruption reports with an increase in corruption itself, saying the growing number of reports does not automatically mean corruption is increasing.
3 September 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →

Thursday 27 August

DCEC urges media partnership to prevent corruption
The Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime has called for stronger collaboration with the media to prevent corruption, educate the public on reporting mechanisms, and ensure credible information reaches communities. The DCEC director general said the fight against corruption requires prevention alongside investigations and prosecutions, with particular focus on public procurement, land allocation, and road transport licensing.
27 August 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Wednesday 26 August

Attorney General consents to judgment in Khama defamation case
The State has consented to judgment in former president Khama's defamation suit against the Attorney General, Jako Hubona, the DCEC Director General, and the Director of Public Prosecutions, with Khama seeking damages for statements he says harmed his reputation.
26 August 2026 · Mmegi →

Tuesday 25 August

Salakae denies allegations of cash gifts to siblings
Salakae told constituents that the DCEC has produced no evidence despite months of investigation into allegations he gave his siblings either P3 million or P10 million, and noted the figures have been inconsistent.
25 August 2026 · Mmegi →
Former Transport Minister Salakae faces corruption charges in court
Noah Salakae, recently a cabinet minister overseeing Transport and Infrastructure, is scheduled to appear before a magistrate court on August 28 on corruption charges following a DCEC investigation. The charges allege he received roughly 1.6 million pula in cash, a Toyota Fortuner valued at 575,000 pula, and bush-clearing services in exchange for influence over a 1.45 billion pula government contract awarded to Tau Grading and Construction for construction of the Ghanzi-New Xade road; Salakae has rejected all allegations.
25 August 2026 · Weekend Post →

Friday 21 August

Cabinet minister resignations over corruption allegations
Salakae's departure from cabinet following corruption allegations from the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime revives Botswana's history of ministerial resignations amid such controversies, joining former ministers including Ramadeluka Seretse, Peter Mmusi, Daniel Kwelagobe, and Michael Tshipinare. Salakae is scheduled to appear in court on August 28.
21 August 2026 · Mmegi →

Monday 17 August

PSP to consult DIS over P100 billion controversy
The Permanent Secretary to the President said the Office of the PSP will consult the Directorate of Intelligence and Security Director General over allegations of missing P100 billion from the Bank of Botswana in 2019, following contradicting assertions made during Public Accounts Committee appearances by the DIS, DPP, and DCEC.
17 August 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Monday 10 August

DCEC investigates DIS Director General Magosi for corruption allegations
The Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime has confirmed it is investigating allegations involving the Director General of the Directorate of Intelligence and Security, Peter Fana Magosi, alongside several intelligence officers suspected of corruption and unexplained wealth.
10 August 2026 · Weekend Post →
Anti-Corruption Bill delayed, not introduced this session
The DCEC announced that the proposed Anti-Corruption Bill will not be introduced during the current parliamentary session, hitting a roadblock for Botswana's long-anticipated anti-corruption framework overhaul.
10 August 2026 · Weekend Post →

Wednesday 5 August

Seretse seeks appeal of Magistrate Dipate's ruling
Seretse has filed leave to appeal Magistrate Dipate's dismissal of his bid to quash 63 counts including stealing by an agent, money laundering, forgery, and conspiracy to defraud the government. His interlocutory appeal challenges the legal authority of Deputy Director Malambane of the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime to lead the prosecution, arguing that the delegation of prosecutorial powers lacked constitutional mandate and proper documentation.
5 August 2026 · Mmegi →

Monday 3 August

Gambling Authority board disavows CEO's unauthorized campaign
The Gambling Authority of Botswana's board publicly distanced itself from actions by its confirmed CEO Moruntshi Kemorwale after he launched an unauthorized campaign to damage his predecessor's reputation. Former CEO Emolemo Peter Kesitilwe demanded P400,000 in damages, alleging Kemorwale orchestrated a character assassination by sending letters to regional bodies in November 2025 claiming the government had initiated forensic audits and the DCEC was investigating Kesitilwe.
3 August 2026 · Weekend Post →
Missing helicopters spark corruption allegations in wildlife ministry
Two Augusta Westland 109K2 helicopters purchased for $1.36 million by Botswana's Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism for anti-poaching efforts have never been fully delivered; one was sent to South Africa for refurbishment and has since vanished into cannibalized parts, while the government continues paying a South African firm and neither aircraft has reached Botswana as intended.
3 August 2026 · Weekend Post →

Monday 13 July

Magistrate rules DCEC prosecutors may proceed against Seretse
Magistrate Mareledi Dipate dismissed a defence application on June 30, 2026, finding that the prosecution team had legal authority to conduct the case. Seretse, Sharifa Noor, Alphonse Molamu Ndzinge, Kgori Capital (Pty) Ltd and Kgori Holdings (Pty) Ltd face a 63-count indictment including charges of stealing by agent, forgery of an official document, conspiracy to defraud and money laundering.
13 July 2026 · Mmegi →