Witness defends alleged Moagi-linked ‘corrupt’ tender
Larona Makhaiza | Friday June 26, 2026 11:49
Moagi faces two charges related to this particular trial. It is alleged that he used his position as the minister to improperly benefit the Chinese contractor Seyuan Electric in the awarding of Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) tenders and later received financial proceeds linked to the deals.
As a result of that, it is alleged that Moagi solicited 100 heifers and a bull valued at P417 500.00. In another trial, Moagi faces a corruption charge alleging he received P4.7 million, but he is filing a no-case-to-answer after the prosecution closed its case.
When the trial commenced before the Broadhurst Regional Magistrate’s Court, BPC Procurement Oversight Manager, Lerothodi Moshoeshoe, testified that Seyuan competed for 13 tenders just like any other company.
“Seven tenders were awarded to Seyuan, four were fully executed, the remaining three were awarded, contracted, but still on hold due to funding,” the state witness said. The witness said the remaining six tenders were unsuccessful, showing that Seyuan did not automatically secure every contract it bid for.
Interestingly, the BPC procurement oversight manager further revealed that Seyuan began bidding for contracts as far back as 2018, when it won its first tender. “As seven tenders were awarded to Seyuan, they go back to 2018 until 2024. The first one, the one in 2018 for a project in Ramotswa,” he said.
Moshoeshoe further highlighted his belief that BPC followed all the right channels in awarding those tenders, as he sat in on the adjudication processes. “I was involved in the tenders that were awarded to Seyuan. I guess in 2020 and also involved those that were awarded post 2023,” he said.
His testimony became more significant under cross-examination when defence counsel Tengo Rubadiri pressed him on whether there was anything improper about the awarded contracts. “I don’t know if there is any problem with the awarded tenders,” Moshoeshoe replied. Further probed whether the tenders had gone through BPC’s internal systems of recommendation and approval, he answered, “Absolutely.”
In what could become a key point in the trial, Moshoeshoe also clarified Moagi’s position in relation to the procurement process. “With respect to the due process, he (Moagi) was not involved in relation to the awarding of the tenders,” he told the court while Moagi was looking at him across the dock.
The trial is set to continue today (Friday), as the state is expected to call more witnesses from the 18 lined up.