Seven fraud counts haunt Balopi
Larona Makhaiza | Wednesday September 16, 2026 15:05
Balopi alongside his close family and compatriots in the political space thronged the halls of the courtroom as he was arraigned before the court, following investigations undertook by the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crimes (DCEC).
The BDP leader finds himself on the wrong side of the law alongside; Native Outdoor (PTY) LTD (represented by Balopi as the director), Native Impressions (PTY) LTD (represented by Balopi as the director), Stess Engineering (PTY) LTD (represented by Thomas Sharpe as director), Thomas Sharpe, Keysource (PTY) LTD (represented by Tshepiso Makgoeng as director), Tshepiso Makgoeng and Duncan Gaolebe.
In the first count, Balopi has been charged with fraud alongside his two companies, Sharpe and his company Stess Engineering. It is alleged that the quintet on February 2nd 2023 in Gaborone acted together and in concert with an intent to defraud Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency ( CEDA) of P837 302.64, unlawfully made a misrepresentation to CEDA.
On the second count, the quintet face a charge of obtaining by false pretences. It is alleged that they acted together on December 21st, 2023 with an intent to defraud CEDA by attempting to obtain the sum of P1 399 810.56 from the same energy purporting the amount to be costs incurred for construction of billboards by Stess Engineering.
While on the third count, Balopi is charged alongside Keysource, Makgoeng and Gaolebe with fraud. Prosecutions allege that the quartet on February 2, 2023 acted together with clear intention to defraud CEDA the sum P2 895 657 as they unlawfully made a misrepresentation that the funds would be used for the provision of one digital screen at Setlhoa Sefalana.
Meanwhile, on the fourth count accused persons face a charge of money laundering. Prosecutions allege that Stess Engineering represented by Sharpe on December 23, 2024 transferred the sum of P462 242.64 from Sharpe’s account to Balopi’s bank account.
Still on the fifth count, the accused face money laundering charge. It is stated that Native impressions owned by Balopi on December 23, 2024 received the sum of P462 242.64 which was derived from the commission of a confiscation offence to wit fraud.
The money laundering charge continues on to count six and seven. In count six it is alleged that Keysource represented by Makgoeng and Gaolebe on August 1, 2023 acting together transferred P2 395 657 from Keysource to Native Outdoor company owned by Balopi. While on the last count Native Outdoor company and Balopi are accused of receiving the sum of P2 395 657 from Keysource.
Following arraignment, the accused persons were granted conditional bails while their pleas were reserved. Balopi, Makgoeng and Gaolebe were granted bail at recognisance of P10 000 with two Batswana sureties binding themselves with the like some.
Sharpe on the other was granted bail at P10 000 paid in cash and should report himself to the DCEC every last Friday of the month.
The matter is set to return to court on October 28. The case continues.