Mmegi Online

Friday, April 17, 2026

The economy lost close to P1 billion in both public and private sector corruption between 2020 and 2024, estimates by the country dirty money watchdog show, the first such figures ever released in the country.During that period, the country fell on the authoritative Corruption Perceptions Index from 35th out of 180 countries in 2020 to 43rd out of 180 countries in 2024.

TIMOTHY LEWANIKA & MBONGENI MGUNI 17 April 2026

Cash

Seretse, Co challenge State prosecutors

The high-profile National Petroleum Fund (NPF) criminal case involving alleged misuse of public funds has taken a dramatic turn after lawyers representing businessman Bakang Seretse and his four co-accused formally challenged both the authority of the prosecution team and the timing of the charges.

Mpho Mokwape | 17 April 2026

Ngakaagae hits back at “ungrateful and entitled” DIS officers

Innocent Selatlhwa | 17 April 2026

BDP rift deepens over term extension

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | 17 April 2026

BCP campaigns spark internal tensions

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | 17 April 2026

Poachers gun down P12bn of Botswana wildlife value

Lewanika Timothy | 17 April 2026

Dagga dominates Botswana’s drug trade

Pini Bothoko | 17 April 2026

The P1 billion cost of corruption

TIMOTHY LEWANIKA & MBONGENI MGUNI | 17 April 2026

Acting Minister of Lands and Agriculture Edwin Dikoloti

Gov't clears air on Ramatlabama FMD culling debate

The Ministry of Lands and Agriculture has dismissed claims that government is opposed to the culling of cattle infected with Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) at the Ramatlabama National Artificial Insemination Laboratory and Training Centre, contrary to concerns raised by the public.

New Secretary General of BOSETU, Oreeditse Nyatso

Nyatso takes over from Rari

The Botswana Sectors of Educators Trade Union (BOSETU) has ushered in a new Secretary General (SG), with Oreeditse Nyatso taking over from Tobokani Rari following the latter's appointment to the Public Service Bargaining Council secretariat.

Sailing on: Multiple tanker owners, oil majors and trading houses have suspended energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. PIC REUTERS

Fake Botswana flags first spotted on ships in January – IMO

The United Nations agency responsible for global shipping says it was first alerted to ships fraudulently flying Botswana’s flag in January by credit ratings agency, S&P Global, a sign of how the illicit activity can potentially impact the country’s image.

Partners: Boko and Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, the he Sultan and Prime Minister of Oman during their meetings in Muscan PIC: BWPRESIDENCY

Boko to launch country’s largest renewable energy project

President Duma Boko is on Thursday scheduled to launch construction of a 500MW solar plant in Maun, which will be the country’s largest renewable facility, a project emanating from energy and mineral deals sealed wit

Botswana flags P6.29bn in illicit money flows

Botswana has recorded an estimated P6.29 billion in suspected proceeds of crime, according to a National Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Risk Assessment, which rates the country’s overall money laundering risk as Medium, driven by oversight gaps and regulation lapses.

Car on fire (picture for illustration).PIC.THEBORDERMAIL.COM

Man’s car burnt overnight, rival suspected

A 41-year-old man had a shock of his life when he woke up to find his vehicle burnt to ashes on Saturday morning in Matseta village. The incident has since prompted Mogoditshane police to launch an investigation. Mogoditshane Police Station acting commander, Assistant Superintendent Mompoloki Ramaphoi, said the incident is believed to have occurred during the night.

BDP cracks down on indiscipline

The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) president, Mpho Balopi, has warned party members to brace for decisive action against indiscipline, signalling a tougher stance by the leadership. Speaking on Sunday at Travel Lodge during the Gaborone Regional Congress, Balopi made it clear that the party would no longer tolerate behaviour that undermines its values. He, however, made it clear that some members will this week receive their suspension letters for indiscipline.

The BDP leadership is turning to both spiritual and medical interventions PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO

BDP faces death, stress crisis

A wave of grief and mounting stress has gripped the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), with party president Mpho Balopi revealing that members are dying at an alarming rate in the aftermath of the party’s historic electoral defeat. Balopi addressed the anomaly at the Gaborone regional congress at Travel Lodge on Sunday.

Marina receives P300,000 equipment boost

As the country continues to grapple with an ailing health system characterised by shortages of critical medical equipment and medicines, a timely intervention by Optimum Health has brought relief to the main referral hospital, Princess Marina Hospital.