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Monday, April 20, 2026

Gaborone University College of Law and Professional Studies (GUC) has reassured stakeholders after a High Court ruling dismissed its graduate’s admission bid on procedural grounds, raising concerns about its Leeds Beckett University-affiliated LLB programme.

Johannes Kambai | 20 April 2026

GUC press briefing. PIC PHATSIMO KAPENG

Seretse, Co challenge State prosecutors

The high-profile National Petroleum Fund (NPF) criminal case involving alleged misuse of public funds has taken a dramatic turn after lawyers representing businessman Bakang Seretse and his four co-accused formally challenged both the authority of the prosecution team and the timing of the charges.

Mpho Mokwape | 17 April 2026

Ngakaagae hits back at “ungrateful and entitled” DIS officers

Renowned attorney and now the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Kgosietsile Ngakaagae has launched a blistering rebuttal against 132 officers of the Directorate on Intelligence and Security (DIS), describing them as an ungrateful lot who are now refusing to pay a heavily discounted legal bill after he and his former firm secured them tens of thousands of Pula each in salary arrears.

Innocent Selatlhwa | 17 April 2026

Political observers note that internal disputes of this nature can have lasting consequences PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO

BDP rift deepens over term extension

All is not well within the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), as divisions continue to widen over a contentious proposal to extend the central committee’s (CC) mandate from two to five years.

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | 17 April 2026

BCP campaigns spark internal tensions

Botswana Congress Party (BCP) is facing growing internal tensions as campaigns for key party positions intensify, with some members reportedly defying established guidelines meant to regulate the election process. Traditionally, party members are expected to wait for the official issuance of the election writ before openly campaigning.

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | 17 April 2026

Botswana’s fauna being an international tourist puller, the species of the jungle have attracted the attention of global mafia gangs.. PIC NATIONAL GEOGRAFIC

Poachers gun down P12bn of Botswana wildlife value

Wildlife crime in Botswana has emerged as one of the leading conduits for illicit financial flows, with the estimated lifetime value of elephants and rhinos poached between 2020 and 2024 reaching a jaw-dropping P12.4 billion. The figures are contained in a National Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Risk Assessment report released recently.

Lewanika Timothy | 17 April 2026

According to the report, dagga accounts for the largest share of drug-related proceeds, exceeding P48 m. PIC MORERI SEJAKGOMO

Dagga dominates Botswana’s drug trade

Botswana’s latest Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing National Risk Assessment Report (2025) paints a concerning picture of the country’s drug landscape, with marijuana locally known as dagga or motokwane emerging as the most prevalent substance.

Pini Bothoko | 17 April 2026

The P1 billion cost of corruption

The economy lost close to P1 billion in both public and private sector corruption between 2020 and 2024, estimates by the country dirty money watchdog show, the first such figures ever released in the country. During that period, the country fell on the authoritative Corruption Perceptions Index from 35th out of 180 countries in 2020 to 43rd out of 180 countries in 2024.

TIMOTHY LEWANIKA & MBONGENI MGUNI | 17 April 2026

From airwaves to Mayorship: Makgosa’s political journey

SELEBI-PHIKWE: The Mayor of Selebi-Phikwe and representative of Sesame Kagiso Ward in Selebi-Phikwe West, Oageng Makgosa, embodies a rare political journey, one that began not in party structures or elite circles, but on the airwaves.

maikgantsho ramontsho | 17 April 2026

The global warning is no longer distant PIC: KENNEDY RAMOKONE

World Press Freedom Day in an age of quiet retreat

The global warning is no longer distant. It is immediate, measurable and deeply unsettling. The latest trends show a steady erosion of freedom of expression, with a 10 percent decline since 2012. This is according to the UNESCO World Trends Report in Freedom of Expression and Media Development (2022-2025).

THOMAS NKHOMA | 17 April 2026

Court saves gov’t P110m in Charleshill-Ncojane road dispute

Mpho Mokwape | 17 April 2026

Rural villages underdeveloped-report states

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | 17 April 2026

Fake Botswana flags first spotted on ships in January – IMO

Mbongeni Mguni,Innocent Selatlhwa | 17 April 2026

Nyatso takes over from Rari

Larona Makhaiza | 17 April 2026

Child malnutrition persists as silent crisis in rural Botswana

Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | 16 April 2026

Marina receives P300,000 equipment boost

Correspondent | 16 April 2026

Acting Minister of Lands and Agriculture Edwin Dikoloti

Gov't clears air on Ramatlabama FMD culling debate

The Ministry of Lands and Agriculture has dismissed claims that government is opposed to the culling of cattle infected with Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) at the Ramatlabama National Artificial Insemination Laboratory and Training Centre, contrary to concerns raised by the public.

New Secretary General of BOSETU, Oreeditse Nyatso

Nyatso takes over from Rari

The Botswana Sectors of Educators Trade Union (BOSETU) has ushered in a new Secretary General (SG), with Oreeditse Nyatso taking over from Tobokani Rari following the latter's appointment to the Public Service Bargaining Council secretariat.

Sailing on: Multiple tanker owners, oil majors and trading houses have suspended energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. PIC REUTERS

Fake Botswana flags first spotted on ships in January – IMO

The United Nations agency responsible for global shipping says it was first alerted to ships fraudulently flying Botswana’s flag in January by credit ratings agency, S&P Global, a sign of how the illicit activity can potentially impact the country’s image.

Partners: Boko and Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, the he Sultan and Prime Minister of Oman during their meetings in Muscan PIC: BWPRESIDENCY

Boko to launch country’s largest renewable energy project

President Duma Boko is on Thursday scheduled to launch construction of a 500MW solar plant in Maun, which will be the country’s largest renewable facility, a project emanating from energy and mineral deals sealed wit

Botswana flags P6.29bn in illicit money flows

Botswana has recorded an estimated P6.29 billion in suspected proceeds of crime, according to a National Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Risk Assessment, which rates the country’s overall money laundering risk as Medium, driven by oversight gaps and regulation lapses.

Car on fire (picture for illustration).PIC.THEBORDERMAIL.COM

Man’s car burnt overnight, rival suspected

A 41-year-old man had a shock of his life when he woke up to find his vehicle burnt to ashes on Saturday morning in Matseta village. The incident has since prompted Mogoditshane police to launch an investigation. Mogoditshane Police Station acting commander, Assistant Superintendent Mompoloki Ramaphoi, said the incident is believed to have occurred during the night.

BDP cracks down on indiscipline

The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) president, Mpho Balopi, has warned party members to brace for decisive action against indiscipline, signalling a tougher stance by the leadership. Speaking on Sunday at Travel Lodge during the Gaborone Regional Congress, Balopi made it clear that the party would no longer tolerate behaviour that undermines its values. He, however, made it clear that some members will this week receive their suspension letters for indiscipline.

Consult, get buy-ins first for 6 to 6 policy, Hon Minister

While the minister is of the view that the proposal would have significant positive economic impact, the entertainment industry players believe otherwise. The issue has over the weeks become a hot potato. But what is of essence right now is that the country needs liberal ideas to move in the right direction While opening up the economy may sound quite interesting to the ear, rolling out extended trading hours through pilot programmes without...

Mmegi Editor | 17 April 2026

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World Press Freedom Day in an age of quiet retreat

Court saves gov’t P110m in Charleshill-Ncojane road dispute

Rural villages underdeveloped-report states

Fake Botswana flags first spotted on ships in January – IMO

Nyatso takes over from Rari

Child malnutrition persists as silent crisis in rural Botswana

Marina receives P300,000 equipment boost

Gov't clears air on Ramatlabama FMD culling debate

Nyatso takes over from Rari

Fake Botswana flags first spotted on ships in January – IMO

Boko to launch country’s largest renewable energy project

Botswana flags P6.29bn in illicit money flows

Man’s car burnt overnight, rival suspected

BDP cracks down on indiscipline

Consult, get buy-ins first for 6 to 6 policy, Hon Minister