Doping scandal reaches High Court
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday February 23, 2026 06:12
Yesterday (Thursday), Justice Itumeleng Segopolo heard the matter, which was brought on an urgent basis with the athletes seeking to challenge the anti-doping process.
They allege that there are corrupt practices, which saw their samples retain positive doping results. The four athletes are suspended after their samples tested positive for banned substances.
Initially, the respondents in the matter were the Ministry of Sport and Arts (MoSA), the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS), Botswana Police Service (BPS), National Anti-Doping Agency (NADO), Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC), the Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) and Attorney General (as government's chief legal advisor).
MoSA, DIS, BPS, BAA, and Attorney General will be removed from the list, leaving NADO and BNOC as the only respondents. The applicants’ attorney, Dr Tshepang Makwati, told MmegiSport that there have been concerns of corrupt practices within the NADO and BNOC office. He said the only option was to approach the High Court on urgency.
He said before the matter was heard by the High Court, the respondents decided to comply with the orders they sort such as for the police to investigate the allegations of corruption within NADO. “You cannot come to ask to court and ask for what is already being done. With regards to the BNOC and NADO office, they informed us that my clients will be given an opportunity to access their profiles in the Anti-Doping Administration and Management System (ADAMS). They have promised to facilitate their access to their profiles so that they can view their results. Are the profiles that we are going to see genuine? We do not know?' Makwati asked.
'We did not withdraw the matter, but we will give them the benefit of the doubt to show what the profiles are saying. Once we have satisfied ourselves with what they are going to show us on February 24, then we will come back to court on March 2 for the status of the case,” he added. According to Makwati, they have long requested to have access to the ADAMS system, because the correct procedure is for the athletes to be provided with credentials to access their own profiles.
He said instead, NADO insisted that athletes should go to their offices. Makwati stated that NADO should explain some discrepancies, and why athletes are not given credentials as has been the case and why it has been stopped. The ADAMS is used by athletes, Anti-Doping Organisations and their delegates, and WADA-accredited laboratories and WADA-approved laboratories for the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) to support their day-to-day responsibilities related to anti-doping. Makwati said if they are not satisfied, they will continue with the matter.
'If we are satisfied, we will abandon the matter. That will put the matter to rest,' he said.
'The matter is not to say anyone is wrong, but everyone has to play their roles to vindicate the claims and allegations that have been made, so that they are not left guessing. “This is a matter of public interest because it involves the reputation and good name of the country as far as athletics is concerned. If we spoil it with these shenanigans, everyone will lose, including my clients.” According to the head of arguments submitted by Makwati, his clients are of the view that NADO and BNOC officers might have committed fraud in respect of the athletes’ doping results with the intention of justifying the barring of the athletes from competing.
In his ruling, Segopolo advised Makwati to amend the documents because some other respondents were no longer part of the matter. He also ruled that the matter was not urgent.
BAA was represented by Thabo Kedikilwe, whilst Adreck Moakofhi appeared on behalf of BNOC and NADO.