Peloetletse bemoans fake news
Innocent Selatlhwa | Tuesday January 13, 2026 08:12
This follows the circulation of a purported memo claiming that President Duma Boko had travelled with his family members, security and office staff using four aircraft during his recent private visit to South Africa. Peloetletse said the memo was fake and called on the media to always verify information they receive.
A document titled Internal Communication, marked as strictly confidential, with a subject line: Security and Travel Arrangements – External Visit, made rounds on social media, circulated by some online media houses. The document was further circulated by opposers of the Duma Boko administration, including former legislator Tumisang Healy, who attacked the President, alleging that Boko was abusing public funds to benefit his family.
The document purports that staff members who were to be part of the trip would assemble at the Office of the President and travel by bus to Thebephatshwa Military Base. Perhaps to make the document look believable, the authors of the document would state that President Boko and family would use the Presidential Jet OK1 and a PC-24 aircraft, whilst security detail and office staff were also allocated two aircraft.
“Staff are strictly instructed not to disclose any details of the trip, movements, routing, aircraft, or timing to any third parties, including family members, colleagues outside the private office, or any public or digital platforms,” reads the document.
In examining the document, this publication noticed the reference, BGCI 9/10/9 VII (19), is not of the Office of the President, but rather the Botswana Government Communications. Further, the Coat of Arms in the document looked like it was not legit as the PULA text on it was not clearly visible. The stamp also looked fake as it seemed the President was spelt incorrectly.
The publication would then enquire with Peloetletse, who said the document was outright fake. “The document is fake, it is not from the presidency office. The first sign that it is fake is the reference. It is not the one used at the presidency. Unfortunately, these fake news and documents keep emerging and being circulated by online news outlets without verification,” she said.
Peloetletse said they were working on finding solutions to curb such behaviour, stating that they hope instruments such as the Media Practitioners Act could help curb such behaviour.
Meanwhile, the Press Secretary to the President, Emang Mutapati, has since issued a statement dismissing the document as fake. She states that security planning is handled exclusively by security command structures, and never by the private office.
She further points out that there was a timeline mismatch as the President departed on December 28, whilst the documents imply last-minute arrangements on December 27, 2025.
She further points out the reference to Boko as His Excellency, a title not used officially anymore.
“Blurred text and reuse of a BGCIS code from a public memo indicate the letterhead was fabricated. Coat of Arms is not legit. The public is urged to disregard this politically motivated disinformation and rely only on official government channels for accurate updates,” she wrote.
Just recently, the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime shot down claims against the presidency. They refuted allegations that the DCEC conducted a raid on “a certain Nollen Bome and that the Minister for State President, Defence and Security, Moeti Mohwasa, interfered with investigations to prevent them from proceeding”.
Further, the DCEC denied claims that raids were conducted on Mohwasa and Minister for Water and Human Settlement, Onneetse Ramogapi, during which stashes of money were purportedly discovered.
“The directorate has noted with concern an increase in unverified claims, speculations, and misleading narratives circulating across social media platforms and other public forums. Such information has the potential to mislead the public and unfairly damage reputations,” the DCEC stated.