News :: Mmegi Online

Friday, January 16, 2026

‘Trial by ambush’ as Mzwinila laments ‘public opinion court’

Former Minister of Lands and Water Affairs, Kefentse Mzwinila, says the case against him is not a measured corruption probe but a calculated ambush, one in which the court of public opinion was enlisted before he was even formally served.

Innocent Selatlhwa | 16 January 2026

Mzwinila. PIC PHATSIMO KAPENG

Mzwinila is challenging the decision by the director of DPP, approaching the court seeking to interdict his assets PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO

Court temporarily halts Mzwinila assets seizure

The State, through the Office of the Receiver, has been temporarily halted from seizing assets of former Minister of Lands and Water Affairs, Dr. Kefentse Mzwinila.

Kabo Ramasia | 16 January 2026

Mzwinila accuses DPP of ‘witch hunt’

Former Minister for Lands and Water Affairs Kefentse Mzwinila has accused the Director for Public Prosecutions (DPP) of malice in the matter in which his assets, including residences, farms, money and agricultural implements have been frozen.

Innocent Selatlhwa | 16 January 2026

BPF boasts five Members of Parliament and more than 20 councillors across the country pic: Kennedy Ramokone

BPF defies odds, holds ground

The Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) has defied the odds to remain politically relevant, despite being formed on the eve of the 2019 general elections, a period widely regarded as unfavourable for the survival of new political movements.

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | 16 January 2026

The absence of representation at national level has limited the BPF’s ability to influence policy debates PIC: KENNEDY RAMOKONE

BRP’s troubled waters

The Botswana Republican Party (BRP), which emerged from a split with the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF), is facing growing questions about its viability, relevance, and future following a series of political setbacks since its formation.

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | 16 January 2026

BMD politically dead-Analyst

Political analyst, Shirley Monyatsi, has declared the Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) politically dead. She argues that the party no longer functions as a viable political organisation and has effectively collapsed under its own weight.

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | 16 January 2026

Dikoloti: A master schemer

Dr Edwin Dikolodi, or ‘Wena Beulah’ as he is baptised by hordes of his followers for his political excursion, is quite fascinating. He’s a master politician and a survivor of note whose intriguing account leaves political aficionados slobbering for some more. Writes Mmegi Staffer RYDER GABATHUSE

Ryder Gabathuse | 16 January 2026

Kgosi Mosole records high GBV victim case withdrawals

Kgosi Mosole of Bontleng village has expressed deep concern over the growing number of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases in his community.

Brilliant Manje | 19 January 2026

Pule shifted the focus to governance and constitutional issues. PIC KENNEDY RAMOKONE

BDP targets UDC over Gaborone Bus Rank closure

The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) held its first Gaborone region rally of the year yesterday at the Gaborone bus rank, using the disputed future of the facility as a central point of attack against the ruling Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC).

Laone Choeunyane | 16 January 2026

DCEC under scrutiny

As the State presses on to bring to book those alleged to have engaged in money laundering and corrupt practices, the ‘reborn’ Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) has taken centre stage as an institution many are pinning their hopes on to clean the rot, as a nation navigates a new chapter in its history. Writes KABO RAMASIA

Kabo Ramasia | 16 January 2026

Speeding, pedestrian deaths remain a concern- report

Pini Bothoko | 16 January 2026

‘ConCourt will not scrap death penalty, legalise same-sex marriage’

Larona Makhaiza | 16 January 2026

Ministry of Education retracts savingram on temporary teachers

Brilliant Manje | 16 January 2026

Pop star Bobi Wine or Strongman ‘M7’?

Kabo Ramasia | 16 January 2026

As death toll mounts in Iran calls for regime change intensify

Staff Writer | 16 January 2026

'Ben 10' murder accused for psychiatric evaluation

Larona Makhaiza | 15 January 2026

Homesoils: Tsodilo is hunting for rare earths and critical minerals in the north-west PIC: TSODILORESOURCES.COM

Canadian firm uncovers “significant” critical minerals in north-west Botswana

Canadian minerals firm, Tsodilo Resources, reports that it has discovered “significant critical minerals and rare earth element mineralisation” in its prospecting licence in north-western Botswana.

ABSA call centre manager & Co granted bail

Village Senior Magistrate Tshepo Thedi has granted bail to ABSA call centre manager Tebogo Nthibo, 32, who is accused of swindling a customer out of P702,036.07 alongside his co-accused Leatile Motshabi, 35. The two are granted bail at P10,000 each.

ABSA call centre manager & Co have a case to answer- Court

The Village Magistrate Court has dismissed a preliminary objection raised by accused persons in the ‘ABSA fraud matter’, ruling that the charge sheet, though imperfect, sufficiently identifies the offence alleged and is not vague as argued by the defence.

Court temporarily halts Mzwinila assets seizure

The Gaborone High Court yesterday ruled that the Office of the Receiver must temporarily halt its ongoing asset seizure of former Minister of Lands and Water Affairs, Dr. Kefentse Mzwinila.

Teenage girl ends life using school belt

Goodhope police are investigating a suspected suicide incident that occurred at Motlobo village, in which a 17-year-old girl was found dead.

Boko's 'holidays' extremely distasteful – BCP

The Botswana Congress Party (BCP) Secretary-General (SG) Goretetse Kekgonegile has condemned President Duma Boko’s two recent holidays, one overseas and another in South Africa, describing them as “extremely distasteful”.

BALANCING ACT: Gaolathe is due to deliver the budget speech next month

Budget to feature additional austerity measures

Vice President and Finance Minister, Ndaba Gaolathe, says the upcoming 2026-2027 budget will feature additional measures to “drastically reduce the growth of recurrent expenditure,” in order to stabilise the country’s finances.

Ramogapi & Co should clear the Bonno confusion

According to a report elsewhere in this publication, various district councils announced that a one-bedroom home now costs over P130,000 more, a near-unthinkable 32% increase. This isn't just a minor adjustment, but a devastating blow to the dream of affordable home ownership for ordinary citizens.What is most alarming is not just the scale of the increase, but the profound confusion it has exposed. Minister Ramogapi has publicly...

The Monitor Editor | 13 January 2026

News

Explore

More

DCEC under scrutiny

Speeding, pedestrian deaths remain a concern- report

‘ConCourt will not scrap death penalty, legalise same-sex marriage’

Ministry of Education retracts savingram on temporary teachers

Pop star Bobi Wine or Strongman ‘M7’?

As death toll mounts in Iran calls for regime change intensify

'Ben 10' murder accused for psychiatric evaluation

Canadian firm uncovers “significant” critical minerals in north-west Botswana

ABSA call centre manager & Co granted bail

ABSA call centre manager & Co have a case to answer- Court

Court temporarily halts Mzwinila assets seizure

Teenage girl ends life using school belt

Boko's 'holidays' extremely distasteful – BCP

Budget to feature additional austerity measures

Ramogapi & Co should clear the Bonno confusion