Botswana's legislative body that debates policy, hears reports from government institutions and agencies, and addresses matters of law reform and national development.
Appearing before a parliamentary committee this week, BPC management told lawmakers that the corporation has made measurable progress under its “Maduo 26” strategy launched in 2021, but said the current electricity tariff structure is no longer financially sustainable as costs co …
… The funds were disbursed by government to BAMB to help procure produce from local farmers in order to restock the Strategic Grain Reserves.On Monday, appearing before Parliament’s ongoing Statutory Bodies proceedings, Scheepers painted a troubling picture of an organisation cripp …
The national carrier, Air Botswana, has been operating on auto pilot for the past five years due to persistent governance failures, board instability and the absence of executive leadership, Parliament has heard. …
… According to a memorial schedule, National Prayers will continue at Boipuso Hall until May 13, while the nation will be accorded the opportunity to pay their last respects during the lying in state at Parliament on May 13. …
Public expectations are high for Parliament and other government institutions to deliver the change voters demanded at the polls, National Assembly Speaker, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse, said Friday. …
… Accordingly, Dr Mogae will be granted a state funeral, and a Book of Condolences will be opened at Parliament from May 12 to May 15 starting 6am to 6pm, to allow members of the public to pay their respects and convey messages of sympathy to the Mogae family. …
Last week, we traced the two-decade trail of Auditor General reports tabled before Parliament, discussed in the Public Accounts Committee, and filed away into what this column called the Republics slow-moving archive of things we choose not to see. …
The latest audit, which covers the year to March 2023 and was tabled before Parliament recently, exposes serious lapses in the government medicine supply chain including stunning revelations that P9 million drugs delivered to government were found to be counterfeit.According to t …
Sunday Standard Inside Parliament’s housekeeping crisis The latest Public Accounts Committee (PAC) findings have placed Parliament under an uncomfortable spotlight as they raise hard questions about institutional independence. …
Botswana's House of Chiefs is grappling with two motions brought before it: one calling for mandatory DNA testing at birth to establish biological parentage, and another advocating for the legalization and formal recognition of polygamy, spearheaded by Kgosi Dingalo of Maun. The advisory body, which counsels Parliament on matters of tribal customs and traditions, is being tested as traditional leaders confront issues shaped by modernization and global connectivity.
Why it matters
The House of Chiefs' debate on mandatory DNA testing and polygamy legalization tests how traditional governance adapts to modernization pressures.
Botswana's House of Chiefs is grappling with two motions brought before it: one calling for mandatory DNA testing at birth to establish biological parentage, and another advocating for the legalization and formal recognition of polygamy, spearheaded by Kgosi Dingalo of Maun. The advisory body, which counsels Parliament on matters of tribal customs and traditions, is being tested as traditional leaders confront issues shaped by modernization and global connectivity.
Parliament raised concerns about counterfeit medicines and expired drugs during a meeting where the Office of the Ombudsman appeared before a Parliamentary committee to account for its operations. The remarks reflected ongoing concerns about weaknesses in financial controls across government institutions.
On 27 March 2026, the Law Revision Commissioner published Statutory Instrument No. 41 of 2026, which deleted paragraphs (a) and (c) of section 164 of the Penal Code that had criminalized carnal knowledge against the order of nature and permitting such an act. The article raises questions about whether this constituted rectification or reform of law that Parliament had previously deferred addressing.
Ghanzi farmers say government must deliver on promised liberalisation of the beef industry from Botswana Meat Commission monopoly to help them weather the current Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak and access regional markets. The policy was repealed by Parliament in 2019 but remains unimplemented.
Botswana's government plans to introduce a new Anti-Corruption Bill to Parliament in July and grant the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime full operational independence, according to the Minister for State President, Defence and Security. The reforms aim to bolster accountability, restore public trust, and elevate governance standards.
Boteti West MP Sam Digwa successfully requested that Parliament urgently re-demarcate existing veterinary disease control zones, particularly Zone 11 and 3B, arguing that this together with zonal fence maintenance would enhance livestock disease management and improve farmers' livelihoods.
A parliamentary member and Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship says his conviction that politics must serve to improve people's lives—especially young people, entrepreneurs, and ordinary communities—was shaped by university experience and civil society work. His background in business consulting has reinforced his belief that government should make it easier for citizens to start and grow businesses.
The Botswana Nurses Union has hinted it may escalate its demands for the absorption and permanent employment of nurses and midwives to Parliament, citing severe staffing shortages in the public health sector.
The Botswana Congress Party has dismissed the government's forensic audit as structurally flawed and theatrically political, arguing it reveals little that is new and provides no credible roadmap for institutional reform. If the report remains secret, the BCP plans to revive its proposal for a fully independent Presidential Commission of Inquiry when Parliament reconvenes in July.
Three months after taking office, Air Botswana's chief executive reported mounting losses, debt pressures and fleet challenges to Parliament on Monday, even as the airline recorded its highest revenue of P330 million at the end of 2024.
BPC told a parliamentary committee this week that while it has made measurable progress under its 2021 "Maduo 26" strategy, the current electricity tariff structure is no longer financially sustainable as costs continue to rise.
The Auditor General's report revealed P197 million in unaccounted for funds at BAMB, which were disbursed by government to procure produce from local farmers for the Strategic Grain Reserves. Before Parliament, BAMB's leadership was confronted with findings of weak internal controls, poor accountability, deteriorating infrastructure, and widespread negligence.
Acting President Ndaba Gaolathe and other senior leaders signed the book of condolences for former President Dr Festus Mogae at Parliament, as the nation mourns the statesman who is remembered for his contributions to Botswana's economic growth, democratic governance and international stability. Dr Mogae died on May 8 and will be laid to rest on May 16.
Air Botswana has operated with persistent governance failures, board instability, and lack of executive leadership over the past five years, Parliament heard. The airline's general manager disclosed that for five consecutive years the board was either incomplete or could not form a quorum, delaying key decisions and weakening oversight, while six board positions are currently filled on an acting basis.
Former President Festus Mogae, who died on May 7 aged 86, will be buried in Gaborone on May 16. A memorial schedule includes national prayers until May 13, lying in state at Parliament on May 13, a memorial service on May 14, and a Procession of Honour on May 15.
National Assembly Speaker Dithapelo Keorapetse said public expectations are high for Parliament and government institutions to deliver on voters' demands for law reform, policy reform, representation and economic transformation. He noted that Parliament has adopted a National Development Plan and economic transformation plan, and called for democratic institutions to become more independent, well-resourced and empowered.
Former president Dr Festus Mogae will be laid to rest at Phomolong Memorial Park in Phakalane on May 16 following a state funeral. A Book of Condolences will be opened at Parliament from May 12 to May 15, the late president will lie in state on May 13, and a national memorial service will be held on May 14 in Gaborone.
An opinion column examines two decades of Auditor General reports and parallel Ombudsman findings revealing systematic wastage, missed deadlines, and maladministration across ministries, but notes both institutions lack enforcement power to compel compliance or prosecution.
An audit covering the year to March 2023 found P9 million in counterfeit medicines in the government supply chain and P95.5 million in expired drugs held by the CMS, with over P62 million of expired stock linked to COVID-19 vaccines.
The Public Accounts Committee's findings have highlighted concerns about institutional independence, staff morale, governance and public accountability at Parliament. The Committee warned that Parliament risks losing public confidence if internal weaknesses are not urgently addressed.
The Auditor General's latest report, tabled in Parliament, reveals misspending of the COVID-19 Fund, which received contributions from government, the private sector, donors, and well-wishers during the pandemic.
The Directorate of Public Prosecutions will respond by May 15, 2026, on the death of 13-year-old Retshephile Tshedu of Sehithwa, who died on May 17, 2025. The government minister confirmed that law enforcement has completed its investigation and submitted the case file to the DPP for review, following public protests and a petition demanding action.
Following closure of a budget meeting, a UDC figure said Parliament has a persistent attendance problem, with sessions adjourning due to lack of quorum on several occasions.