News :: Mmegi Online

Friday, April 17, 2026

Mophuting-Dikoloti: A devoted Pan Africanist, global politics enthusiast

Usually, Botswana women face significant barriers in securing party nominations and winning primaries. Botswana, a stable democracy often struggles with deeply rooted patriarchal structures, which significantly marginalise women in politics. This is despite the fact that women form the majority of voters, estimated at 54 %. This week, Know Your MP speaks to a woman who beat 2024 General Election blues to win Gaborone Bonnington North constituency, Maipelo Mophuting-Dikoloti Writes Mmegi Staffer RYDER GABATHUSE

Ryder Gabathuse | 17 April 2026

Maipelo Mophuting-Dikoloti

GS-26 claims UB power victory

Despite Moono wa Baithuti, aligned with the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), sweeping almost all positions at the University of Botswana (UB), the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) student lobby, GS-26, insists it remains firmly in control of campus politics after securing the presidency.

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | 21 April 2026

Court rejects 'UK university' law graduate's bid to practise

The Gaborone High Court has dismissed an application by a law graduate who claimed to have studied at the United Kingdom's Leeds Beckett University to be admitted as a practising attorney in the country's judicial courts, ruling that the graduate failed to prove he meets the required academic qualifications.

Mpho Mokwape | 21 April 2026

No factions in BCP – Kekgonegile

As the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) gears up its elective congress in July, Secretary-General Goretetse Kekgonegile rebuffed claims that there are factions within the party, instead revealing that the BCP is considering doing away with lobby lists.

Larona Makhaiza | 20 April 2026

Foot and Mouth Disease control. PIC PHATSIMO KAPENG

FMD spreads as EU suspends Botswana beef imports

The Ministry of Lands and Agriculture has confirmed new cases of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in Disease Control Zone 11, raising concern amongst farmers and stakeholders as containment measures intensify.

correspondent | 20 April 2026

GUC defends franchise LLB programme

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

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

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

TIMOTHY LEWANIKA & MBONGENI MGUNI | 17 April 2026

From airwaves to Mayorship: Makgosa’s political journey

maikgantsho ramontsho | 17 April 2026

Bosa Bosele shapes market-ready graduates

staff writer | 17 April 2026

MPs warn against “Paper promises”

Pini Bothoko | 17 April 2026

World Press Freedom Day in an age of quiet retreat

THOMAS NKHOMA | 17 April 2026

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

Mpho Mokwape | 17 April 2026

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.

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.

The BDP leadership is turning to both spiritual and medical interventions PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO

BDP faces death, stress crisis

A wave of grief and mounting stress has gripped the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), with party president Mpho Balopi revealing that members are dying at an alarming rate in the aftermath of the party’s historic electoral defeat. Balopi addressed the anomaly at the Gaborone regional congress at Travel Lodge on Sunday.

Marina receives P300,000 equipment boost

As the country continues to grapple with an ailing health system characterised by shortages of critical medical equipment and medicines, a timely intervention by Optimum Health has brought relief to the main referral hospital, Princess Marina Hospital.

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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