Botswana Minute.
Saturday, 18 July 2026
Botswana’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Saturday, 18 July 2026
Gaborone—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—
Botswanan press · Organization

High Court

Also known as: Botswana's High Court · High Court in Francistown

Botswana's superior court, hears civil and criminal cases including disputes over government contracts, employment matters, and asset sales.

2026-04-272026-07-18

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. May 2026
  2. Mmegi

    Botswana's High Court delivered a landmark ruling on June 11, 2019, in the case brought by Letsweletse Motshidiemang.

    Botswana finally buries Colonial-Era anti-gay laws
  3. April 2026
  4. Mmegi

    The court, which was recently launched, will initially operate in the Gaborone and Lobatse divisions of the High Court.

    Botswana pins economic hopes on new commercial court
  5. Daily News Botswana

    Gazetted in July 2025, the Bill sought to amend the Constitution to remove constitutional jurisdiction from the High Court, providing a specialised court for constitutional interpretation and the validity of laws.

    Parliament enacts 17 bills to support development agenda
  6. Daily News Botswana

    In a move aimed at modernising the country’s judicial system and strengthening its investment climate, Minister of Justice and Correctional Services has launched a dedicated Commercial Court division of the High Court.

    Commercial Courts To Enhance Efficiency

Tuesday 14 July

  1. Government accused of dodging P20 million judge drivers debt

    The government has been accused of flouting the rule of law and deliberately delaying payment of millions of pula owed to 32 judge drivers over unpaid standby allowances. The judge drivers have accused the Attorney General's Chambers of attempting to evade its financial obligations despite a court award.

    14 July 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard

Monday 13 July

  1. Former Air Botswana captain contests flight cancellation damages claim

    A former Air Botswana captain has filed a court defence rejecting the airline's claim that he owes P249,355.39 in damages for refusing to operate a Johannesburg flight on June 21, 2026, after his resignation. Air Botswana alleges his refusal to operate his final rostered flight caused cancellation of services, forcing the airline to rebook passengers and cover accommodation and lost revenue.

    13 July 2026 · Mmegi

Monday 6 July

  1. Court suspends Minister's BHC board powers pending July hearing

    Justice Mokwadi Gabanagae has stayed a June 26 ruling that had allowed Minister Ramogapi to perform the statutory functions of the Botswana Housing Corporation board after its dissolution, and issued a rule nisi directing Ramogapi and the Attorney General to appear on July 13 to show cause why the order should not be rescinded.

    6 July 2026 · Mmegi

  2. Investor abandons €500 million suit against Eswatini bank

    Alithea director Vinay Roopchand informed the High Court via affidavit on June 30 that the company no longer wishes to proceed with its application against FNBB, weeks after securing an interim court order to preserve documents and records at the bank's premises.

    6 July 2026 · Mmegi

Monday 29 June

  1. Investor seeks court intervention over missing Euro 500M

    Alithea Investments has filed High Court papers claiming Euro 500 million was remitted through Deutsche Bank Frankfurt as part of an investment linked to Botswana's Economic Transformation Programme, following engagements with the Minister of International Relations. The investor is seeking court intervention, regulatory scrutiny, and international assistance to trace the funds.

    29 June 2026 · Mmegi

  2. BHC executives challenge dismissals in High Court

    Three BHC executives—Pogiso Thapelo, Richard Chilisa, and Samantha Chabata—filed an urgent High Court application to overturn dismissal letters issued on 19 June 2026, arguing the terminations lacked legal authority, no hearing was held, and BHC had no board of directors at the time.

    29 June 2026 · Mmegi

  3. High Court orders disclosure of records in former AG appointment

    The High Court, in an order issued on June 12, 2026, has directed respondents to file records of proceedings relating to a former Attorney General's appointment or provide reasons why they cannot do so within 14 court days.

    29 June 2026 · Mmegi

Monday 22 June

  1. 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.

    22 June 2026 · Mmegi

Wednesday 10 June

  1. Sepopa double murder trial pre-trial requirements still pending

    The prosecution and defence have not yet complied with pre-trial Order 68 requirements in the case against Sepopa, who is accused of fatally shooting his wife Bogolo Sepopa and junior Same Moapare in July 2023. The High Court adjourned the matter to November 9, 2026, with the accused remaining out on bail.

    10 June 2026 · Mmegi

Tuesday 9 June

  1. Court of Appeal to hear FNBB appeal in Guma Moyo property dispute

    The Court of Appeal will hear an appeal on June 19, 2026, brought by First National Bank Botswana and two others challenging a High Court ruling that halted the sale of properties linked to businessman Samson Guma Moyo in an effort by FNBB to recover debts related to United Refineries Botswana Holdings. The central legal issue is whether a creditor may proceed against sureties or guarantors while the principal debtor company remains under judicial management.

    9 June 2026 · Weekend Post

Friday 5 June

  1. Media practitioners urged to humanise LGBTQI+ stories

    A workshop in Botswana trained media practitioners and journalists on covering LGBTQI+ issues responsibly. The training comes after the country's 2019 High Court ruling decriminalising consensual same-sex acts and subsequent Court of Appeal upheaval, as media coverage is recognised as capable of either challenging or perpetuating stereotypes.

    5 June 2026 · Mmegi

Wednesday 3 June

  1. Botswana track athletes' doping case set for August 10

    High Court Judge Justice Itumeleng Segopolo has confirmed that the legal case involving four provisionally banned Botswana track athletes will be heard on August 10, following an emergency hearing to address confusion after the case was omitted from the official court roll in June.

    3 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Tuesday 2 June

  1. Court of Appeal overturns freeze on Mupane mine asset sale

    Botswana's Court of Appeal has set aside a High Court interim interdict, allowing the liquidation and sale of Mupane Gold Mining's assets to proceed. The Nova Africa Resources/Aone Commodities DMCC Joint Venture's bid of USD 21.5 million upfront was recommended by the liquidator and endorsed by creditors over Ulsan Botswana's USD 500,000 upfront offer.

    2 June 2026 · Weekend Post

Monday 1 June

  1. Court of Appeal clears Mupane mine asset sale for workers

    The Court of Appeal has overturned a High Court ruling that temporarily halted the sale of Mupane Gold Mine assets, moving hundreds of former workers closer to recovering unpaid salaries and benefits.

    1 June 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard

  2. Seretse's lawyers challenge DCEC prosecutor's legal authority

    Lawyers for Bakang Seretse have warned they will seek a permanent stay of execution at the High Court if the Regional Magistrate Court does not agree that Deputy Director Thabo Malambane of the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime lacks legal authority to prosecute Seretse.

    1 June 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard

  3. High Court blocks SKMTH restructuring pending main dispute

    The High Court has granted interim relief restraining Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital from continuing its restructuring process until the main dispute is resolved, in a ruling delivered by Justice Michael Motlhabi.

    1 June 2026 · The Botswana Gazette

Monday 25 May

  1. High Court case looms over Tongaat Hulett Botswana assets

    Bowwood and Main No 296 Pty Ltd obtained a High Court order in February for a general notarial bond over Tongaat Hulett Botswana assets. Tongaat Hulett Ltd was placed in business rescue in 2022 following an accounting scandal that left the company owing billions of pula to banks and lenders.

    25 May 2026 · Mmegi

Wednesday 20 May

  1. Tawana JV accuses government of contempt in P1.5bn water contract dispute

    Tawana JV's legal team has accused senior government officials of orchestrating a sham suspension of the Ncojane Water Supply Works procurement process to sidestep binding court orders. A March Court of Appeal ruling upholding the contract award to Tawana JV has been met with a suspension letter from the Ministry of Water and Human Settlement, which Tawana JV's lawyers describe as contempt of court and "illogical."

    20 May 2026 · Weekend Post

Tuesday 12 May

  1. High Court judge rejects intoxication as excuse for murder

    High Court Judge Dr. Zeinub Kebonang sentenced Tapologo Makwatse to death for the 2015 murder of his girlfriend Dipuo Ramalepa, rejecting the defendant's claims of drunkenness and ruling that voluntary drinking should be treated as an aggravating factor rather than a reason for leniency. The judgment challenges what the judge described as a legal trend in Botswana where courts accept vague terms like "under the influence" to reduce culpability without expert testimony.

    12 May 2026 · Weekend Post

Monday 11 May

  1. Court of Appeal reserves judgment on Mupane mine auction dispute

    The Court of Appeal will announce its judgment in two weeks on an appeal concerning Mupane, a gold mine that closed in March 2024 and went to auction in April 2025 with three bids. The appeal was filed by the mine's liquidator and the initial winning bidder Nova Africa Resources after a High Court interdict halted the sale, granted to losing bidder Ulsan Botswana over alleged tender irregularities.

    11 May 2026 · Mmegi

Monday 4 May

  1. State delays return of former DIS head's assets

    The State has yet to return assets of a former Directorate of Intelligence and Security head despite a consent order agreed between both parties, raising questions about missing property and deteriorating holdings amid ongoing court delays.

    4 May 2026 · Mmegi

  2. Botswana removes colonial-era provisions criminalizing same-sex relations

    In March 2026, the government formally deleted provisions from Section 164 of the Penal Code that criminalized consensual same-sex relations through a statutory instrument, aligning the law with a 2019 High Court ruling that found the provisions unconstitutional.

    4 May 2026 · Mmegi

Thursday 30 April

  1. Botswana launches commercial court to speed case resolution

    Botswana has launched a commercial court, initially operating in Gaborone and Lobatse divisions of the High Court, to address delays in resolving commercial cases, some of which have taken decades. Chief Justice Gaolapelwe Ketlogetswe framed it as part of the Administration of Justice broader reform agenda to improve efficiency and strengthen public confidence in the judicial system.

    30 April 2026 · Mmegi

Tuesday 28 April

  1. Parliament passes 17 bills to support development agenda

    The 13th Parliament passed 17 bills and three key national policies during its recent session, marking a significant legislative milestone that will support the government's transformative agenda once they are assented to by the President. The bills and policies were passed as part of the government's effort to review and renew laws to ensure their relevance to national development and emerging regional and international issues.

    28 April 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Monday 27 April

  1. Commercial Court Division Launched To Speed Business Dispute Resolution

    Botswana has established a dedicated Commercial Court division of the High Court to resolve business and commercial disputes more efficiently. The Justice Minister said the move aims to reduce delays that have historically hindered economic progress and strengthen Botswana's investment climate.

    27 April 2026 · Daily News Botswana

High Court — Botswanan press coverage · Botswana Minute