Honey Guide Trust threatens BDF, BPS chiefs with contempt
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday September 7, 2026 09:10
Botswana Police Commissioner, Dinah Marathe and Botswaba Defence Force (BDF) commander, General Mpho Mophuting could be jailed in the event the trust's demands are not immediately acceded to. Additionally, the legal representatives lawyers have been instructed to seek imprisonment and the legal costs on an attorney and own client scale. The move follows Okavango Kopano Mokoro Community Trust's (OKMCT) decision to ignore court orders and subsequently enter Ditshiping village under the escort of Police and BDF officers.
According to a letter dated August 26, 2026, the two parties became involved in a heated and spirited series of litigations and disputes wherein Ditshiping residents demanded equal and or reasonable share of the resources that are situated within the NG32 area.
“The residents’ plea was met with opposition by OKMCT since they were the majority of the constituents at that time. Ditshiping managed to secure an order on November 2021, terminating their membership from OKMCT, and remaining with Honey Guide Trust. Several attempts were made by OKMCT to try and re-join Ditshiping into the trust but failed,” the letter from the lawyers led by Carter Joseph reads.
“Of relevance is the recent special general meeting (SGM) which was scheduled to be held at Xaxaba village, with the sole agenda of rejoining Ditshiping into OKMCT. Ditshiping residents approached the Maun High Court to obtain an interdict of the meeting and the consequent decisions flowing from the meeting.”
The letter has been submitted to Marathe, Maun police station, Mophuting and Boro BDF camp.
The legal representatives stated in the letter that in November 2025, the court granted an interdict order in favour of Honey Guide wherein OKMCT was interdicted and prohibited from treating Ditshiping as its member.
Joseph explained that OKMCT ignored the court order and proceeded to make attempts to treat Ditshiping as a member including gaining physical access to the village.
He added that his clients instituted contempt proceedings against OKMCT and its Board of Trustees.
Joseph pointed out that amongst the acts of OKMCT was an attempt to organise a celebration, and organsing within Ditshiping.
“The contempt application was argued, the only real defence raised by OKMCT was the lack of proper counsel from their attorneys. On or about March 20, 2026, Justice Bugalo Maripe delivered the judgment, the contempt was dismissed due to the ill counsel received,” he Joseph said.
“The body of the judgment explains the purpose of client’s approach to the court to seek the interdict, which put simply, the prevention of OKMCT from treating Ditshiping as a member. As an expression of displeasure, the court ordered legal costs of suit against OKMCT. On or about April 2, 2026, the interdict was confirmed as an absolute order, which remains in extant to date.”
He added that they were surprisingly instructed that the OKMCT continues to gain access to Ditshiping with protection and escort of Police and BDF.
Joseph said an attempt was made by Honey Guide Trust to explain the import of the interdict court order but it would seem that the Police and BDF ignored the explanation proffered and insisted that the tourists who paid OKCMT be granted access into Ditshiping village.
A meeting between Honey Guide lawyer and Boro BDF Camp leadership was held, an understanding was reached that only tourists with clients’ vouchers will be granted access to Ditshiping.
“After the meeting, my clients further instructed us that OKMCT still continues to forcefully enter Ditshiping under the protection and escort of Police and BDF. An enquiry was carried out, we then learnt that Maun Acting Station Commander had issued an instruction to BDF personnel stationed in Ditshiping and Shorobe police station to grant tourists access to Ditshiping,” the letter reads in part.
“Myself and Honey Guide Trust attended Maun Police Station, explained the status of the clients against OKMCT and the relevant court orders. Despite having served process on Maun Police Station before, the Acting Station Commander indicated that Maun Police Station does not have a record of the legal proceedings and or relevant court orders.”
Joseph demands in the letter for BPS and BDF compliance with the court order by interdicting and prohibiting OKMCT from treating Ditshiping as a member.
He said going forward, his client will be granting access to the tourists that have secured their permission with Honey Guide Adventure Trust.
He added that they will be instituting proceedings to recover funds that were paid directly to OKMCT for purposes of accessing the tourism sites that are within Ditshiping vicinity.
Honey Guide was established in 1996 with the mandate of advancing the interest and welfare of the Ditshiping residents.
The intention was to exploit the natural resources situation within the environment and surrounding tourism activities chief being the tourism sector.
OKMCT was created in 1997, Ditshiping reluctantly became a member since it was the only village that was situated within the NG32 concession area. Most of the other membership villages were, and are still outside the concession area.