Doping: Botswana’s ticking time bomb
Friday, July 18, 2025 | 390 Views |
Scourge: Botswana is experiencing a rise in doping cases PIC: CENCENELEC.EU
In recent weeks, the entire nation has been left searching for answers as doping cases continue to escalate. This week, Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) announced two more cases from athletics involving Tshepang Manyika and Mpho Lekwalo who tested positive to Oxymetholone and Stranozolo.
Oxymetholone was also detected in samples from Refilwe Murangi, Galaletsang Gabalotegwe, and Kagiso Mogale in June. Is it a coincidence? That’s the big question. If cases continue to spike, it casts doubt on Botswana’s image on the international stage.
That a single private law firm pocketed P6.5 million for just four cases, out of a total P11.1 million paid for 25 matters, reeks of a system that was not merely disorganised but open to abuse.Bayford has taken a welcome first step by telling the Public Accounts Committee the truth. Now he must act decisively to ensure it never happens again and that any money lost to wrongdoing is recovered.The figures are staggering. Whilst ordinary Batswana...