Parliament, cabinet, parties, governance.
Opposition Leader Dumelang Saleshando and Speaker Dithapelo Keorapetse have clashed over a proposed Bill to scrap constituency allowances for the President, Speaker, and Specially Elected MPs.
17 hours ago · The Botswana Gazette →
Opposition Leader Dumelang Saleshando and Speaker Dithapelo Keorapetse have clashed over a proposed Bill to scrap constituency allowances for the President, Speaker, and Specially Elected MPs.
17 hours ago · The Botswana Gazette →
Prominent attorney Biggie Ganda Butale has taken the Attorney General to the High Court, challenging the legality of a 2026 administrative order that removed the "unnatural offences" laws from Botswana's statute books without a final vote in Parliament. Butale argues the Statutory Instrument No. 41 of 2026 bypassed parliamentary authority, contending that only Parliament has the power to repeal laws under Section 86 of the Constitution.
27 July 2026 · Weekend Post →
The Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2025, adopted by the National Assembly to establish a Constitutional Court, now awaits a referendum before presidential assent. Debate focuses on whether the timing is appropriate given the country's economic situation, with proponents arguing a dedicated court protects democratic governance and human rights by ensuring constitutional questions are properly determined.
27 July 2026 · Weekend Post →
Dr. Unity Dow, a former High Court judge and human rights advocate, was elected Vice President of the Botswana Congress Party at its elective congress in Mogoditshane during the President's Holidays in 2026, defeating Taolo Lucas by 100 votes (942 to 842). The close result and factional divisions within the party underscore ongoing tensions between competing leadership camps.
27 July 2026 · Weekend Post →
The Botswana government has rejected calls for an independent audit of the 2019 General Elections, despite persistent accusations from the Umbrella for Democratic Change that the polls were manipulated. Minister Moeti Mohwasa told Parliament the administration will focus on economic transformation and electoral reforms rather than revisiting past election controversies.
27 July 2026 · Weekend Post →
President Duma Boko disclosed his administration has spent about P3.7 billion settling unpaid government invoices inherited from previous administrations, some dating back to 2018, saying these accumulated debts have slowed progress on delivering promised economic reforms.
27 July 2026 · Weekend Post →
The Botswana Congress Party has passed the hurdle of holding internal elections, described as a rite of passage for the party. The article indicates early signs are positive, though it is too early to assess whether things will ultimately work out well for the BCP.
27 July 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →
The UDC entered office promising a rights-based approach to governance, but a deep fiscal crisis is forcing difficult trade-offs. A new report warns that the government has cut financial support to key civil society organisations at a time of worsening economic pressures, rising unemployment, and poverty.
27 July 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →
Dumelang Saleshando, president of the Botswana Congress Party, has asserted his readiness and capability to lead the party into the 2029 General Election, putting to rest doubts about his health.
27 July 2026 · Weekend Post →
Botswana has implemented a new Income Tax Act, 2026, that overhauls payroll and employment income compliance rules. Employers must align their payroll systems, benefits, reimbursements, and termination payments with the updated tax rules set by the Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS).
27 July 2026 · Weekend Post →
The Botswana National Front, the main opposition party founded in 1965, operates with a disciplined financial model that generates P4.4 million annually.
27 July 2026 · Weekend Post →
At the BNF's 60th national conference, President Boko characterized his inherited administration as "a broken country, a collapsing economy and a nation bereft of hope," attributing challenges to more than a decade of declining diamond revenues and shrinking export earnings while framing current hardships as part of a necessary rebuilding process.
27 July 2026 · Mmegi →
BNF vice president Moeti Mohwasa told the party's 60th national conference in Jwaneng that winning government was the beginning, not the end, of a greater test, cautioning that the party must distinguish itself by the discipline with which it fulfils its promises and not allow the comfort of office to distance it from those who entrusted it with leadership.
27 July 2026 · Mmegi →
Speaking at the BNF's 60th National Conference, Julius Malema told the Umbrella for Democratic Change government that a true revolution requires ordinary Batswana to take control of the country's wealth, and warned that if the oppressed gained nothing while the oppressors lost nothing after the transition, "there was never a revolution."
27 July 2026 · Mmegi →
The Minister for State President, Defence and Security told Parliament that his ministry has no record of any DIS officer facing criminal prosecution for offences allegedly committed during or outside official duties.
27 July 2026 · Mmegi →
The BCP internal election was contested by two campaign groups, with Dow defeating Lucas for vice presidency (942 to 842 votes) and Kekgonegile retaining secretary general (891 to 877 votes). Although Dow won the vice presidency, candidates aligned with Taolo's team won the majority of positions, with members voting based on individual candidates rather than along strict team lines.
27 July 2026 · Mmegi →
Addressing party delegates in Palapye, Gaolathe said Botswana's future remains bright despite current economic difficulties, emphasising that a "new Botswana" will surprise those who have lost hope.
27 July 2026 · Mmegi →
At a BPP leadership forum in Francistown, Molapise said the party's participation in the UDC remains critical, and that all affiliate parties should evaluate their contribution to the coalition, recommend policy changes, and review policies that are not delivering for citizens while maintaining their own organisational strength and political identity.
27 July 2026 · Mmegi →
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 →
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 →
South African Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema has challenged President Duma Boko, arguing that true political change requires a complete transformation of the system rather than gradual reforms.
26 July 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →
According to the 2026 Ibrahim Index of African Governance, Botswana has experienced a decade-long deterioration in its anti-corruption performance, putting pressure on the country's reputation as one of Africa's strongest governance performers.
26 July 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →
The Botswana Congress Party has elected a new central committee ahead of the 2029 General Elections, with Dumelang Saleshando retaining the presidency and Dr Unity Dow as his deputy.
26 July 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →
Dow has been elected BCP vice president, marking a significant milestone for women's representation in Botswana's political leadership. She becomes the third woman to hold a vice presidential position in a political party, following Kathleen Letshabo and Same Bathobakae of the BNF.
24 July 2026 · Mmegi →
ILES is hosting its fifth conference to prepare employers, employees, government and stakeholders for Botswana's new Employment and Labour Relations Act, which has passed Parliament and received presidential assent. The conference, themed "Turning Law into Practice: Implementing the Employment and Labour Relations Act in a Digital and Transforming Economy," is intended to ensure a seamless transition to the new legislation.
23 July 2026 · Mmegi →
Botswana's oldest pending clemency petition has been awaiting a decision from President Duma Boko for more than three years, with no presidential directive or warrant issued in relation to pending applications, according to prisons authorities.
23 July 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →
Speaker of the National Assembly Dithapelo Keorapetse has made parliamentary independence his tenure's cornerstone, arguing that Botswana's legislature must evolve into a truly autonomous co-equal branch of government capable of lawmaking, executive scrutiny, and citizen representation without institutional dependence on the executive. The speech was delivered at Parliament's inaugural formal ceremony dedicated to launching its legislative agenda—a historic break from tradition marking the first such ceremony since independence.
22 July 2026 · Weekend Post →
According to the Ibrahim Index of African Governance 2026, Botswana's score has dropped 8.6 points over the past decade and now ranks sixth in Africa with a score of 57.8, placing it among five African nations showing severe declines in anti-corruption efforts since 2016. The report flags Botswana as experiencing "Increasing Deterioration," signaling an acceleration of decline since 2021.
22 July 2026 · Weekend Post →
Former president Mokgweetsi Masisi this week stepped into an ongoing four-year chieftainship battle between his family and the Mothudi family, distant relatives, as the case took an unexpected turn.
22 July 2026 · Weekend Post →
President Duma Boko is weighing the creation of independent bodies to investigate and prosecute cases from Botswana's recent forensic audit, amid concerns about whether existing state institutions can handle the task impartially.
22 July 2026 · Weekend Post →
Two major parties within the Umbrella for Democratic Change are holding separate high-level meetings this weekend to address Botswana's economic situation.
22 July 2026 · Weekend Post →
The Botswana Congress Party faces its most critical elective congress yet, with a showdown between continuity and renewal threatening to test party unity as it plans for 2029.
22 July 2026 · Weekend Post →
BPP president Motlatsi Molapisi has confirmed that Francistown East MP Tiroeaone Ntsima remains a member in good standing, dismissing speculation that he was leaving to join another party. Molapisi also expressed concern about the party's weak organisational structures and condemned character assassination among members.
22 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana →