Botswana Citizen Newspaper

08/10/2026

18/09/2026

𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐒 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃 𝐁𝐎𝐓𝐒𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐀 𝐀𝐃𝐃𝐒 𝐆𝐋𝐀𝐌𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐓𝐎 𝐑𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐑𝐒-𝐆𝐔𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐖𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐍

02/09/2026

The Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) is accelerating the expansion of its P180 million Letsema Horticulture Market Programme, investing P4.5 million in a Francistown collection centre as it builds a national network to connect farmers to organised markets.

The Francistown facility, targeted for completion by 21 September 2026, will serve as the main horticultural collection and aggregation hub for the Northern Region.

CEDA Caretaker Chief Executive Officer Khalala Mokefane said the expansion seeks to tackle one of the biggest barriers facing local farmers: reliable access to markets.

“We cannot finance farmers to produce and then leave them to struggle for markets. If we are serious about building commercially viable citizen-owned agricultural enterprises, market access has to be part of the investment. Letsema is about building that route to market and bringing it closer to the farmer,” Mokefane said.

The Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) is accelerating the expansion of its P180 million Letsema Horticulture Market Programme, investing P4.5 million in a Francistown collection centre as it builds a national network to connect farmers to organised markets.

The Francistown facility, targeted for completion by 21 September 2026, will serve as the main horticultural collection and aggregation hub for the Northern Region.

CEDA Caretaker Chief Executive Officer Khalala Mokefane said the expansion seeks to tackle one of the biggest barriers facing local farmers: reliable access to markets.

“We cannot finance farmers to produce and then leave them to struggle for markets. If we are serious about building commercially viable citizen-owned agricultural enterprises, market access has to be part of the investment. Letsema is about building that route to market and bringing it closer to the farmer,” Mokefane said.
CEDA plans to establish 10 regional collection centres linked to the main Letsema horticulture hub in Gaborone, creating a national system for collecting, aggregating and distributing locally produced horticultural products.

The network will extend into major production areas, including Francistown, Maun, Palapye, Kasane, Shakawe, Selebi Phikwe and the Tuli Block.

By aggregating produce from different growers, Letsema is expected to help small and emerging farmers pe*****te larger formal markets where individual producers may struggle to consistently meet required volumes.

CEDA is targeting 2,500 farmers within the Letsema ecosystem by 2030 and more than 5,000 by 2036.

The expansion will also create opportunities beyond farming. CEDA plans an agent-based trading network targeting 100 licensed agent businesses and 500 agent-related jobs. Across farming, logistics, distribution, agro-processing and market operations, Letsema is targeting 8,500 to 10,000 jobs by 2030 and more than 15,000 by 2036.

CEDA is spending P2.5 million on refurbishments and another P2 million to equip the Francistown Collection Centre, including the acquisition of a vehicle, forklift and furniture. Major refurbishment works are already at an advanced stage, with the facility targeted for completion by 21 September 2026.

“Financing production is only half the job. We have to create the conditions for Batswana to produce, aggregate and sell. That is how we turn agriculture into sustainable businesses, create jobs and build a stronger domestic horticulture industry,” Mokefane said.

02/09/2026

JUST IN: LESEDI MOLAPISI FREED FROM BANGLADESH PRISON

Motswana woman Lesedi Molapisi, who was sentenced to death in Bangladesh after being convicted of drug smuggling, has been released from prison following diplomatic efforts by the Botswana Government.

The Government of Botswana confirmed Molapisi's release on Tuesday, 1 September 2026. Molapisi was arrested in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on 23 January 2022 after she was found in possession of narcotics. She was subsequently convicted of a drug-smuggling offence and sentenced to death on 27 May 2024.

According to a statement issued by Botswana Government Communication and Information Systems (BGCIS), her release follows sustained diplomatic efforts by Botswana, including an appeal by President Duma Boko for executive clemency and the commutation of her death sentence.

JUST IN: LESEDI MOLAPISI FREED FROM BANGLADESH PRISON

Motswana woman Lesedi Molapisi, who was sentenced to death in Bangladesh after being convicted of drug smuggling, has been released from prison following diplomatic efforts by the Botswana Government.

The Government of Botswana confirmed Molapisi's release on Tuesday, 1 September 2026. Molapisi was arrested in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on 23 January 2022 after she was found in possession of narcotics. She was subsequently convicted of a drug-smuggling offence and sentenced to death on 27 May 2024.

According to a statement issued by Botswana Government Communication and Information Systems (BGCIS), her release follows sustained diplomatic efforts by Botswana, including an appeal by President Duma Boko for executive clemency and the commutation of her death sentence.

The Ministry of International Relations was also instructed by Boko to pursue the matter through diplomatic channels.

International Relations Minister Dr Phenyo Butale subsequently engaged Bangladesh's former Interim Prime Minister, Dr Mohammed Yunus, as well as the country's current Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr Khalilur Rahman, over Molapisi's release.

Botswana's diplomatic missions in South Africa and India were also involved in engagements with Bangladeshi authorities and provided consular assistance and support to Molapisi.

The Botswana Government further collaborated with local and international human rights organisations, including Ditshwanelo, to ensure that Molapisi received legal representation.

Government has welcomed Bangladesh's decision to grant Molapisi clemency and thanked the Bangladeshi government for her release.

"The Government hereby expresses its deep appreciation to the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh for granting Ms. Molapisi clemency," the statement said.

The statement does not indicate when Molapisi is expected to return to Botswana or provide details of the conditions, if any, attached to her release.

02/09/2026

𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝟒𝟎 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐆𝐁𝐕 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐬

Three survivors of gender-based violence will receive education scholarships through the inaugural Beyond 40: Stride by Stride Walk, giving the September 5 wellness event a social purpose beyond physical fitness. The scholarships, provided by Imperial School of Business and Science, will cover 12-month certificate programmes, with beneficiaries able to progress to diploma level.

The 5km walk will be held at the Three Dikgosi Monument in Gaborone, with organisers positioning it as an initiative for healthier lifestyles and active ageing. Co-founder Mqondisi Dube said the event is open to people of all ages, despite its focus on those aged 40 and above.

📲 𝐆𝐄𝐓 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐅𝐔𝐋𝐋 𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐔𝐄 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄:
https://wa.me/+26776395184

𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝟒𝟎 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐆𝐁𝐕 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐬

Three survivors of gender-based violence will receive education scholarships through the inaugural Beyond 40: Stride by Stride Walk, giving the September 5 wellness event a social purpose beyond physical fitness. The scholarships, provided by Imperial School of Business and Science, will cover 12-month certificate programmes, with beneficiaries able to progress to diploma level.

The 5km walk will be held at the Three Dikgosi Monument in Gaborone, with organisers positioning it as an initiative for healthier lifestyles and active ageing. Co-founder Mqondisi Dube said the event is open to people of all ages, despite its focus on those aged 40 and above.

Minister for State President, Defence and Security Moeti Mohwasa is expected to lead the walk, joined by ministers Edwin Dikoloti and Lawrence Ookeditse and members of the diplomatic corps. Dube said GBV was selected as the first edition’s social-impact focus, with different community issues expected to feature in future walks.

Imperial School of Business and Science student counsellor Tshepo Tlhankane said the scholarships could give survivors a route back into education and help rebuild confidence. She said the institution wanted its contribution to create opportunities beyond the event itself.

Dr. Malebogo Eluya of Afiya said nutrition should not be separated from physical fitness. She called on companies, retailers and other organisations to support the initiative, saying corporate participation could help expand its reach in future editions.

📲 𝐆𝐄𝐓 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐅𝐔𝐋𝐋 𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐔𝐄 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄:
https://wa.me/+26776395184

02/09/2026

𝐁𝐄𝐑𝐀 𝐌𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐒𝐇𝐔𝐓 𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐍𝐎𝐍-𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐋𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐓 𝐅𝐔𝐄𝐋 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒

The Botswana Energy Regulatory Authority (BERA) has warned fuel retailers that they risk having their service stations closed and licences suspended or revoked if they fail to address serious safety and environmental violations within the next three months.

In a notice issued on 1 September 2026, BERA said recent routine inspections of retail service stations across the country uncovered a “significant number” of facilities with serious non-compliances.

Among the problems identified are the absence of oil-spillage containment systems or oil-water separators, lack of leak-monitoring wells, inadequate or non-existent operating procedures, untrained employees and failure to provide attendants with personal protective clothing.

𝐁𝐄𝐑𝐀 𝐌𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐒𝐇𝐔𝐓 𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐍𝐎𝐍-𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐋𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐓 𝐅𝐔𝐄𝐋 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒

The Botswana Energy Regulatory Authority (BERA) has warned fuel retailers that they risk having their service stations closed and licences suspended or revoked if they fail to address serious safety and environmental violations within the next three months.

In a notice issued on 1 September 2026, BERA said recent routine inspections of retail service stations across the country uncovered a “significant number” of facilities with serious non-compliances.

Among the problems identified are the absence of oil-spillage containment systems or oil-water separators, lack of leak-monitoring wells, inadequate or non-existent operating procedures, untrained employees and failure to provide attendants with personal protective clothing.

BERA warned that the shortcomings pose risks to both workers and members of the public, while potentially contributing to environmental pollution and contamination of underground and surface water sources.

More concerning, according to the regulator, is that some service stations had previously been inspected and committed to fixing the problems but failed to do so. In some instances, as many as four years have passed without the identified violations being fully addressed.

SOME FUEL STATIONS ALREADY CLOSED

BERA revealed that enforcement has already begun, with some non-compliant service stations around the country closed over the past few weeks.

The regulator has now given the industry September, October and November 2026 to clear all outstanding compliance issues.

Those that fail to comply face further enforcement measures, including closure, suspension of their operating licences or complete revocation of their licences in accordance with regulatory requirements.

BERA has urged retailers to revisit previous inspection reports, conduct self-assessments and, where necessary, request voluntary inspections.

The regulator will also hold petroleum compliance workshops for retailers in Jwaneng on 15 September and Francistown on 17 September 2026, with southern retailers expected to attend in Jwaneng and those in the north directed to Francistown.

02/09/2026

𝐉𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐈𝐍: 𝐅𝐀𝐑𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐃 𝐀𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐎𝐖𝐒 𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐅𝐌𝐃 𝐔𝐑𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍

Farmers have reacted angrily to a decision by Gaborone High Court Justice Onkemetse Tshosa, who today, 1 September 2026, dismissed with costs an urgent application brought by feedlot operators JS Beef (Pty) Ltd and Primefast (Pty) Ltd against Government over Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) restrictions.

Justice Tshosa ruled that the application was not urgent.

Farmers following the case say they are disappointed by the outcome, warning that the decision could further deepen problems already confronting Botswana’s cattle and beef industry.

𝐉𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐈𝐍: 𝐅𝐀𝐑𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐃 𝐀𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐎𝐖𝐒 𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐅𝐌𝐃 𝐔𝐑𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍

Farmers have reacted angrily to a decision by Gaborone High Court Justice Onkemetse Tshosa, who today, 1 September 2026, dismissed with costs an urgent application brought by feedlot operators JS Beef (Pty) Ltd and Primefast (Pty) Ltd against Government over Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) restrictions.

Justice Tshosa ruled that the application was not urgent.

Farmers following the case say they are disappointed by the outcome, warning that the decision could further deepen problems already confronting Botswana’s cattle and beef industry.
At the centre of the court battle are approximately 6,600 cattle, which the feedlotters said had remained in their facilities for more than 200 days beyond their intended slaughter dates. They put additional feeding costs at approximately P27 million.

The feedlotters brought in South African Senior Counsel and FMD specialist lawyer Advocate Reginald Willis to argue their case. They sought relief that would allow them to slaughter or export the affected cattle, maintaining that they were not asking the court to dismantle Government’s wider FMD control measures.

Government, represented by Deputy Attorney General João Salbany, opposed the application and argued that the feedlotters were effectively asking the court to interfere with executive policy and decision-making.

Salbany argued that the relief sought was not something the court could enforce because it involved policy and executive functions. Government further argued that the alleged urgency was self-created and that the dispute was largely driven by the economic hardship being suffered by the two companies.

Government acknowledged the difficulties facing the feedlotters but maintained that FMD controls had to be considered against the interests of the wider cattle industry, arguing that the needs of the two companies had to be weighed against those of other producers and the country as a whole.

The State also argued that the applicants had failed to demonstrate that Government officials had acted in bad faith and maintained that legally prescribed disease-control measures could not simply be set aside because of the financial pressure being experienced by the businesses.

The Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) was initially targeted for relief, including an order compelling it to slaughter the cattle. JS Beef and Primefast later withdrew the relief they were seeking against BMC and pursued their challenge against Government authorities.

The remaining respondents included the Director of Veterinary Services Dr Kobedi Segale, Minister of Lands and Agriculture Dr Edwin Dikoloti and the Attorney General, while the Zone 12 Farmers Association, Botswana National Beef Producers Union and Feedlotters Association were also cited.

Farmers now fear that without immediate intervention, pressure on feedlots and cattle producers will continue to mount, potentially worsening an industry already struggling with the effects of FMD controls.

02/09/2026

🔥 𝐓𝐔𝐄𝐒𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐆𝐑𝐈𝐋𝐋 𝐈𝐒 𝐎𝐔𝐓!

🟥 𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘:

𝐏𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐙 𝐊𝐀𝐋𝐀𝐅𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐒’ 𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐃 𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐊𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐀 𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐏𝐋𝐎𝐓

Police have turned to one of Botswana’s most notorious convicts in their probe into an alleged plot to kill former President Ian Khama. Tshepo “Rocksteady” Mosala, a friend of slain John Kalafatis, reportedly refused to talk, while the police move is said to be rattling sections of the DIS. ➡️ Full story on Page 2

🟨 𝐀𝐋𝐒𝐎 𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐃𝐄:

🔻 𝐆𝐎𝐕𝐓 𝐇𝐈𝐉𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐒 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐃𝐔𝐅’𝐒 𝐏𝟏.𝟐 𝐁𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐑𝐎 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐓 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐍

Entrepreneur Shadrack Baaitse says he had long submitted a metropolitan public transport plan aimed at introducing a modern bus network in Gaborone, only for the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure to announce TANA, a similar electric-bus initiative expected to be introduced this month. ➡️ Page 5

🔻 𝐕𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐍𝐃𝐀𝐁𝐀’𝐒 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐍 𝐓𝐎 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐋, 𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐆𝐄 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐒

Tuesday Grill looks at Vice President and Finance Minister Ndaba Gaolathe’s plan for greater control and management of state-owned enterprises. ➡️ Page 4

🔻 𝐁𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐏𝐈 𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐃𝐏𝐏 𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐒

BDP President Mpho Balopi has denied being served with any court papers amid growing speculation that he could be summoned to appear before court later this month in a corruption-related matter. ➡️ Page 5

🗞️ 𝐁𝐨𝐥𝐝 & 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭

📲 𝐆𝐄𝐓 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐂𝐎𝐏𝐘 𝐍𝐎𝐖: https://wa.me/+26776395184

25/08/2026

🔥 𝐓𝐔𝐄𝐒𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐆𝐑𝐈𝐋𝐋 𝐈𝐒 𝐎𝐔𝐓!

🟥 𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘:

𝐍𝐃𝐀𝐁𝐀 & 𝐏𝐒 𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐆𝐎, 𝐀𝐃𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐑𝐒 𝐓𝐄𝐋𝐋 𝐁𝐎𝐊𝐎

President Duma Boko is under renewed pressure to remove Vice President Ndaba Gaolathe from the Finance portfolio as concerns grow over the pace of Botswana’s economic recovery. Finance Permanent Secretary Dr Tshokologo Alex Kganetsano has also reportedly survived two attempts to remove him. ➡️ Full story on Page 3

🟨 𝐀𝐋𝐒𝐎 𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐃𝐄:

🔻 𝐁𝐎𝐊𝐎, 𝐌𝐎𝐓𝐈’𝐒 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐍 𝐓𝐎 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐂𝐔𝐄 𝐀𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐀

President Duma Boko and South African businessman Zunaid Moti are preparing to officially unveil African Hero, an ambitious initiative aimed at delivering schools, clinics and technical colleges across Africa. Boko will serve as the initiative’s Founding Chairperson. ➡️ Page 2

🔻 𝐃𝐄𝐂𝐈𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐋𝐘𝐒𝐈𝐒 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐒 𝐁𝐎𝐓𝐒𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐀 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐔𝐒 𝐀𝐌𝐁𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐀𝐃𝐎𝐑

Botswana’s strategically important ambassadorial post in Washington remains vacant months after government promised an appointment would be made “soon”, with diplomatic and political indecision reportedly behind the delay. ➡️ Page 6

🔻 𝐁𝐎𝐓𝐒𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐀 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐃 𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐑 𝐏𝟑.𝟐 𝐁𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐒𝐀𝐃𝐂 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐆𝐈𝐂 𝐏𝐄𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐋𝐄𝐔𝐌 𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐎𝐑

Botswana could play a central role in a proposed P3.2 billion strategic petroleum corridor aimed at strengthening regional fuel security and infrastructure. ➡️ Page 17

🗞️ 𝐁𝐨𝐥𝐝 & 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭

📲 𝐆𝐄𝐓 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐂𝐎𝐏𝐘 𝐍𝐎𝐖:
https://wa.me/+26776395184