Category: Daily News

The five villages of Gumare, Tubu, Danega, Nokaneng and Habu will each receive P450,000 from the sale of the recently awarded nine-elephants quota.

Okavango District commissioner, Mr William Keareng made the announcement when addressing residents of Gumare during a recent kgotla meeting.

To this end, Mr Keareng has called on residents of the five villages to revive farmers’ committees and an umbrella farmers’ association so that they benefit from the agricultural hunting quota, which was designed to mitigate human-wildlife conflict challenges.

Also, Mr Keareng advised the communities to devise suitable projects that would reduce human-wildlife conflict and also benefit the communities economically.

In the past, he said, the quota was coordinated by community trusts, which were not aligned with the quota’s core purpose, which promoted farmers’ associations’ close collaboration with farmers’ committees in each village to ensure proper coordination.

Meanwhile, Gumare residents welcomed the quota, saying it would benefit the communities while reducing human-wildlife conflict.

Some residents called for the establishment and electrification of a communal farm for growing fruits and vegetables and their value chains to supply supermarkets, which they said would promote agriculture while benefiting communities.

Others suggested drilling of boreholes in wildlife management areas to water elephants and maintenance of buffalo fences to curb human-wildlife conflict.

They also suggested that part of the funds should be channeled toward addressing challenges such as animal diseases in the area.

Kgatleng District Council has to date registered 349 child support grant beneficiaries.
The programme qualifies children who have not reached 12 months by April, must be a citizen of Botswana and possess a registered birth certificate and the primary giver must have resided in the district for at least six months prior to application.
Addressing a full council meeting recently, council chairperson, Mr Thabo Komane said the child grant was expected to commence payment this month, following a registration exercise that began on February 18.
Mr Komane said payment would be facilitated through the Social Benefits Payment and Reconciliation System.
“This is a transformative development for vulnerable families across our district” he said.
On other issues, Mr Komane told meeting that council’s effort to ramp up income streams was bearing fruit.
In that regard, he said trade licence collections, revenue officer deployments, and the October 2025 auction generated P78,100 as well as ongoing commercialisation of market stalls that contribute to a stronger own-source revenue base.
Furthermore, he said council’s Public-Private Partnership framework continued to attract investment citing that the P1 million pledge from Business Botswana through the Private Sector Disaster Response Fund.
He said the funds earmarked for sewage line connections for 50 households along the Notwane Riverfront in Mochudi was a compelling example of what partnership could achieve.
He said financial evaluation of tenders had been completed, and 16 of the 50 target households had already been identified.
Furthermore, he said council had been informed that the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure had secured funds for the reconstruction of the Mmamashia-Modipane Road, currently at pre-contract stage with tender documents under final vetting.
“Construction is anticipated to commence in the next financial year and will stimulate economic diversification, improve connectivity to South Africa via Tlokweng and Sikwane Border Posts, and create significant employment opportunities for our people,” he said.
Mr Komane also said the Modipane-Mabalane Road construction had been delayed by a court order.
“We are urgently engaging the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure to provide short-term solutions while the legal process is being resolved,” he said.
In the agriculture space, he said for the 2025/2026 ploughing season, 5 505 farmers were registered compared to 5 148 in the previous season, and that 1 617.28 hectares were planted under the Lemang Dijo Programme.
However he said, the long dry spell from January to February affected standing crops.
“Consequently, this may result in a decline in production this season. Our thoughts remain with the farming families who are impacted,” he said.

The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, together with the Botswana Transport Association, are committed to constructive dialogue and finding solutions that serve the interests of commuters, operators, and the broader transport sector, says a joint press statement from the two parties.

According to the press statement, both the ministry and the association engaged in ongoing negotiations, which have been marked by mutual respect and a shared determination to develop strong recommendations that will improve service delivery and sustainability.

The ministry and association expressed gratitude to the public for their patience and continued support as they work together toward outcomes that benefit the public and strengthen the transport industry. This comes after disputed transport fares  that Botswana Bus Operators Association (BOBAB) did not agree with.

The tussle headed to court where the Gaborone High dismissed with cost the BOBAB urgent application on Saturday, which challenged the government’s reversal of the previously announced increase of public transport fares, ruling that the government acted within its powers.

The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure informed the public through a press statement that the high court of Botswana has dismissed an application brought by the association challenging the recent fare adjustment published in Government Gazette Notice No. 309 of 2026.

As a result, the release says shared taxi will be P10 per passenger per trip, special taxi: P36 per trip while the mini-bus (local transport) will be charged P9 per trip. According to the release longs distance (bitumen road) will be charged 0.38 thebe per km and Long distance (gravel/sandy road is charged 0.41 thebe per km.

President Advocate Duma Boko has departed for France and Spain to attend the One Health Summit on April 7, which coincides with World Health Day. The summit, hosted by the France, will bring together global leaders, scientists, and stakeholders to discuss human, animal, plant, and ecosystem health, focusing on shared health threats.

The One Health Summit aims to promote action-oriented multilateralism, accelerate One Health commitments, and develop solutions to strengthen health and surveillance systems.

Key topics include zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, sustainable food systems, and pollution exposure. In addition, President Boko will engage on bilateral talks with his counterpart, President Emmanuel Macron of France, and engage business leaders on trade and investment opportunities in Botswana.

The President will proceed to Spain on April 9, where he will advance Botswana’s economic diplomacy drive and further enhance bilateral cooperation between Botswana and Spain. President Boko will also hold talks with Spain Prime Minister Mr Pedro Sanchez Perez-Castejon.

President Boko is accompanied by Ministers Dr Phenyo Butale, Dr Stephen Modise, and Dr Edwin Dikoloti, among other senior government officials.

The government has taken a decision to introduce measures to cushion citizens from the rise in the cost of fuel caused by external factors, primarily the Middle East conflict.

Addressing the nation on Thursday, President Advocate Duma Boko said government understood that Batswana were concerned about the recent fuel and transportation price increase and the likelihood of food costs also rising as a consequence.

President Boko announced that fuel as well as security of supply levies were suspended for six months.

“These levies, charged at 245.5 thebe per litre for petrol and 239.5 thebe per litre for diesel, are suspended to cushion motorists and consumers from the rising fuel costs.”

The government has also decided to reduce work trips undertaken in the civil service for a duration of three months, apart from essential services.

 Furthermore, President Boko said government would monitor retailers to ensure that they did not increase the prices of essential goods in a manner disproportionate to the rise in fuel costs.

Therefore, he urged the nation to be united in this period where the country faced the challenge of an economic downturn induced by reduced diamond sales in the global market as well as rising fuel costs caused by the Middle East crisis. 

The Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Major General Pius Mokgware, has expressed concerns regarding the prevalence of factionalism within various church communities.

Mr Mokgware said during the commemoration of Easter at Seven Rainbow Church of God in Selebi-Phikwe that divisions within the church were often driven by greed and the desire to exploit churches for personal gain.

He thus condemned the divisive trend, explaining its detrimental impact on the unity and harmony that should characterise religious organisations, and called for collective action among church leaders and congregants to address internal conflicts.

Major General Mokgware called for reconciliation during church conflicts to foster an inclusive and supportive environment for all members.

“Greed-driven factionalism did not only undermine the core values of faith but also crippled the essential purpose of our religious organisations,” Mokgware stressed, adding that churches should be sanctuaries of hope and unity, not battlegrounds for personal ambition. Also, Maj. Gen. Mokgware encouraged the church to develop mentorship programmes to raise and guide young leaders, ensuring they uphold the values of integrity and humility.

The church, he stated further, must continuously take proactive steps in addressing social issues, including anger, violence, and gender-based violence that continue to affect communities.

Mr Mokgware acknowledged the various challenges that church leaders encountered, particularly welfare issues, which affected the operations of the church. 

He explained the need to address these difficulties by exploring alternative income-generating strategies rather than relying on offerings collected during services.

Meanwhile, at the Seven White Angels Church in Zion, the Minister of State President, Defence and Security, Mr Moeti Mohwasa stated that the church served as a sanctuary for healing and a space where individuals can uplift one another.

He shared reflections about his own experiences, explaining how he has come to understand that God was always capable of providing hope and strength, even in the most challenging times. 

Mr Mohwasa reassured the congregants that trusting in God’s timing is crucial, particularly when one finds themselves at their lowest. 

His message resonated deeply, reminding everyone of the power of faith and the comfort that can be found in relying on a higher purpose.

Mmatshumo area is experiencing an influx of phane worm harvesters, prompting authorities to visit the area to appreciate the situation and ensure compliance as per the requirements of the Department of Forestry and range Resources. Boteti District Commissioner, Mr Ewetse Selelo urged the harvesters to maintain hygiene and avoiding over-harvesting to preserve the worms for future seasons. He also encouraged them to acquire permits with the permits ranging from P5 for harvesters and P115 for dealers whilst exports permit costs P2200. Senior forest and range resources officer, Mr Onalenna Manene encouraged all the harvesters to acquire permits, adding that the permit was not only meant for harvesting, but also for record keeping as it entailed contact numbers, names and place of residence, the information he said could help in instances of emergency. 

The recent high increase in public transportation fees announced on Wednesday in the Government Gazette Notice number 307 of 2026 was not sanctioned by government, the nation has been told.

In an official address to the nation on Thursday, President Advocate Duma Boko said the heavy increase in public transport fees was gazetted without the blessing of cabinet, and was thus rescinded a day later.

As a consequence, the director of Department of Road Transport Services (DRTS), Mr Bokhutlo Modukanele was suspended from duty pending an investigation into how public transport fare increases announced on March 31 differed with the rates approved by cabinet, the President revealed.

Explaining the background, President Boko said cabinet had met last December 10 and among other things considered a report from DRTS on proposed public transport fee increases.

That report had been developed after consultation with public transport operators and stakeholders, and modifications amounting to varying percentage increases for bus, taxi and minibus public transport fares were proposed  for cabinet to consider at the time.

But the government then decided not to immediately effect public transport price increament at a period of extensive Christmas holiday travel, the President said.

With the recent fuel price increase announced as a consequence of the global fuel shortage caused by the Middle East conflict, another round of talks were held with public transport operators’ organisations, the President revealed.

He said the price increases that appeared on the March 31 government gazette had not been approved by cabinet.

Instead, the statement presented to Parliament by the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Mr Noah Salakae on Thursday, and the subsequent notification of the Government Gazette, reflected the last public transport price increases sanctioned by cabinet that factored in commuters as well as operators’ interests, the President said.

President Boko said government should function professionally with the political leadership and technocrats in the civil service, making collective decisions and official announcements that had a collective buy in. The government would investigate what transpired and take remedial steps, the President said.

Owing to challenges with the Department of Road Transport and Safety (DRTS) online system, the government has declared a seven-day grace period to use vehicles with expired licences and permits.

This was revealed by the President, Advocate Duma Boko during his Easter address to the nation from the Mass Media Complex on Thursday evening.

The President revealed that the one week moritorium on charging motorists with expired  vehicle licenses and permits was informed by the DRTS system being currently slow and overburdened, which had caused long queues and delays in the payment of fines and renewing documentation.

Given that Batswana are entering a period where some normally travel for holidays, family visits and religious pilgrimage, the President said government would permit a one week grace period where flagged vehicles or have expired permits could temporarily be on the road.

The President encouraged motorists to ensure that upon their return they cleared their fines, renew permits and licences.

Furthermore, the President encouraged motorists to drive safely over the Easter holidays, and advised that the police, DRTS transport inspectorate officers and other government stakeholders would be on hand to ensure orderly travel, urging the public to offer these officials their cooperation on the road. 

 The government has taken a decision to introduce measures to cushion citizens from the rise in the cost of fuel induced by external factors, primarily the Middle East conflict.

Addressing the nation on Thursday evening, President Advcate Duma Boko said the government understood that Batswana were concerned about the recent fuel and transportation price increase and the likelihood of food costs also rising as a consequence.

President Boko announced that fuel as well as security of supply levies were suspemded for six months. These three levies, charged at 245.5 thebe per litre for petrol and 239.5 thebe per litre for diesel are suspended to cushion motorists and consumers from the rising fuel costs.

The government has also decided to drastically reduce work trips undertaken in the civil service for a duration of three months, apart from essential services.

“Furthermore, the government will observe if traders such as retailers do not increase the price of essential goods in a severe manner that is not consumate with the increase in fuel costs.”

The President urged the nation to be united in this period where the country faced the challenge of an economic downturn induced by reduced diamond sales in the global market as well as rising fuel costs caused by the Middle East crisis.