Botswana Minute.
Sunday, 28 June 2026
Botswana’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Sunday, 28 June 2026
Gaborone—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—
Botswanan press · Organization

Parliament

Also known as: Parliamentary · General Assembly

Botswana's legislative body that debates policy, hears reports from government institutions and agencies, and addresses matters of law reform and national development.

2026-04-222026-06-28
Share on WhatsApp

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. April 2026

  2. Mmegi

    The Auditor General’s latest report, tabled in Parliament a week and a half ago, paints a disturbing picture of misspending of the COVID-19 Fund, the central wallet into which government, the private sector, donors and well-wishers poured funds during the pandemic.The Auditor Gen …

    Fresh audit exposes COVID spending chaos

  3. Daily News Botswana

    … On April 9, protesters marched to submit a petition to Parliament, demanding action from the police commissioner, the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, and other authorities on the death of Tshepi, who died on May 17, 2025. …

    DPP to respond on Tshepi case by May 15 2026

  4. Mmegi

    … Saleshando sounded the horn on the low attendance by Members of Parliament (MP) during Parliamentary sessions, bemoaning that it is unparliamentary on all angles.“There is an issue of attendance in Parliament. …

    UDC doesn't care about Parly – Saleshando
Politics

Botswana chiefs debate DNA testing, polygamy legalization

The News

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.

25 June 2026 · Weekend Post →

Thursday 25 June

  1. Botswana chiefs debate DNA testing, polygamy legalization

    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.

    25 June 2026 · Weekend Post →

Tuesday 16 June

  1. Parliament concerned about counterfeit and expired medicines

    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.

    16 June 2026 · Mmegi →

Wednesday 10 June

  1. Statutory instrument removes Penal Code provisions criminalizing carnal knowledge

    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.

    10 June 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →

Thursday 4 June

  1. Ghanzi farmers demand government implement beef industry liberalisation

    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.

    4 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Tuesday 2 June

  1. Government plans new anti-corruption bill and DCEC independence

    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.

    2 June 2026 · Weekend Post →

Monday 1 June

  1. Parliament approves motion to re-demarcate veterinary disease control zones

    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.

    1 June 2026 · Mmegi →

Monday 25 May

  1. Ntsima uses politics to improve lives, especially youth

    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.

    25 May 2026 · Mmegi →

Sunday 24 May

  1. Botswana Nurses Union may escalate staffing crisis to Parliament

    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.

    24 May 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →

Wednesday 20 May

  1. BCP criticizes forensic audit as structurally flawed and inadequate

    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.

    20 May 2026 · Weekend Post →

Monday 18 May

  1. Air Botswana posts losses despite P330 million revenue

    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.

    18 May 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →

  2. BPC management says tariff structure unsustainable despite operational progress

    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.

    18 May 2026 · Mmegi →

  3. Auditor General flags P197 million unaccounted for at BAMB

    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.

    18 May 2026 · Mmegi →

Tuesday 12 May

  1. Acting President leads national mourning for former President Mogae

    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.

    12 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

  2. Air Botswana hampered by five years of governance failures

    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.

    12 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Monday 11 May

  1. Former President Festus Mogae laid to rest Saturday

    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.

    11 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

  2. Parliament must deliver voter-demanded change, speaker says

    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.

    11 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

  3. Former president Mogae to receive state funeral May 16

    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.

    11 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

  4. Auditor General and Ombudsman reports go unheeded by Executive

    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.

    11 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Monday 4 May

  1. Audit finds counterfeit drugs, expired stock in government supply

    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.

    4 May 2026 · Mmegi →

Sunday 3 May

  1. PAC raises concerns about Parliament's internal governance

    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.

    3 May 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →

Wednesday 29 April

  1. Auditor General report finds misspending in COVID-19 Fund

    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.

    29 April 2026 · Mmegi →

Monday 27 April

  1. DPP to rule on Retshephile Tshedu death case by May 15

    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.

    27 April 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Wednesday 22 April

  1. UDC says low MP attendance is unparliamentary conduct

    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.

    22 April 2026 · Mmegi →

Parliament — Botswanan press coverage · Botswana Minute