Category: Sunday Standard

The Afcon Morocco 2025 has come and gone. It had taken Botswana more than a decade to qualify since they made their maiden appearance at Afcon 2012.

As was the case back then, Botswana came unstuck from their recent AFCON outing. The chasm between the country’s players and their counterparts from the rest of Africa was too wide to fathom.

Ranked as the lowest among the whole lot, the Zebras lived to that billing. No win or draw, seven goals conceded, no goals scored and not surprisingly, the first team on the plane back home. This was another chastening experience.

But unlike in the aftermath of her similarly chastening experiences of 2012, valuable lessons, hard as they may be, were learnt. From the ashes of the Afcon Morocco 2025, Botswana, like a phoenix, plans to rise.

No longer willing to wait another decade to qualify and ‘just participate,’ the Botswana Football Association Technical Development Committee (BFA TDC) has come up with a plan.

That plan comes in the form of a visionary strategy known as the BFA Strategic Framework 2036. The ten-year strategic framework was presented to the BFA National Executive Committee (BFA NEC) for adoption during its meeting at Cresta Thapama in Francistown this past weekend.

The presentation was made by two of the country’s experienced coaches and administrators, Dr Daniel Tau and Sikalame ‘Six’ Keatlholetswe. The two were accompanied by BFA Technical Director Kaelo ‘Wire’ Kaelo and BFA vice president technical Tebogo ‘Tico’ Kamati.

As a BFA NEC member at the helm of technical department, Kamati says the framework is ‘a 10-Year Long-Term Athlete Development Plan, guided by a clearly defined Botswana Football DNA.’

The framework is expected to be implemented in ‘manageable four-year cycles,’ and implemented through annual operational plans. The process of implementation is expected to start immediately. The initial process, which is the revision of the BFA strategy by the TDC, will commence this month.

Speaking to Sunday Standard Sports on the sidelines of the BFA NEC meeting, Tau and Keatlholetswe described the strategy as one that ‘will guide all BFA operations for the next ten years.’ It is expected to also create a clearly defined Botswana Football DNA.’

‘We are talking about a vision for football in the country. And the important thing is that we want this vision for football to be aligned to the national vision. This is why we are now talking about a ten-year strategic framework,’ Tau says.

This alignment with Botswana’s Vision 2036, is particularly in context of the country’s ambition of building ‘a high-income economy supported by stronger institutions, human capital development, youth opportunity, national pride and international competitiveness.’

‘We want to align to the national vision so that when Botswana evaluates itself in 2036 with regards to where they are with the high-income status they want, football should say we contributed we have contributed in this manner.’

‘During these ten years, we want to see ourselves develop players who will of course excel in football, but at the same time should be able to trade their talent by playing in lucrative leagues globally as professional players,’ Tau explains.

To ensure there are yardsticks to measure success, the strategic framework will have Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and high-level targets. At the end of the ten years vision in 2036, the Zebras and the Mares should be champions at COSAFA level.

In terms of continental and world level rankings, the Zebras should be in the top ten (10) in CAF rankings and top sixty (60) in the world, while the Mares should be top seven (7) in Africa and top seventy (70) in the World.

Enroute to those lofty rankings, it is envisaged for both the Zebras and the Mares to be semi-finalists at COSAFA level in 2028 and finalists by 2032. In terms of rankings, the Zebras should be in the top twenty (20) in Africa and top 100 in the world by 2028, while achieving a top fifteen (15) ranking in Africa and top eighty (80) in the world by 2032.

The Mares on the other hand will be expected to be in the top twenty (20) in Africa and top 120 in the world by 2028, and be in the top ten (10) in Africa and top ninety (90) in the world by 2032.

To achieve this, both Tau and Keatlholetswe say there will be a need for continuity irrespective of who assumes the leadership at BFA. As such, they believe that with the strategic framework in place, whoever assumes the BFA office will work towards achieving the vision instead of tearing down everything to start his or her own new vision.

While not entirely taking football politics out of football development, it is envisaged that the strategic framework will minimise its interference. ‘Just like with the national Vision 2036, whoever comes will work towards achieving the vision of this strategic framework. It will only be reviewed when it reaches its maturity, thus ensuring continuity.’

As this is a long-term vision, the development of players who will help achieve this mainly targets talented players between the ages of 12 years and under 17 years. These players will be expected to be aged between 22 years and 26 years and in their prime when the vision ends in 2036.

‘To achieve this, we want to find that one generational talent who can make the country and the world stand up. Unfortunately, no one knows where that player is. So, we will have to spread our net wide across the country and find the player because if we miss them, it will take many more years to find another.’

‘All these things that we do. This strategic framework as well as everything that it entails, is all working towards finding that generational talent wherever it may be,’ Keatlholetswe explains.

Tau and Keatlholetswe say the country should never wait more than a decade to qualify for another AFCON. As such, the strategic framework will ensure the country has a holistic approach towards achieving this.

Botswana’s energy regulator moved to steady public anxiety after reports of a steep electricity price increase triggered concern among households and businesses already grappling with rising costs. In a statement dated April 1, the Botswana Energy Regulatory Authority (BERA) said claims that electricity tariffs for the 2026/27 financial year had been increased by 46% were premature and unfounded.

‘It has come to our knowledge that there are reports circulating, especially on social media, that the 2026/27 electricity tariffs have been adjusted upward by 46%,’ the Authority said, signalling growing sensitivity around energy pricing in the southern African nation.

The regulator emphasised that no final determination has been made on an application submitted by Botswana Power Corporation (BPC), the state-owned utility. ‘The public is informed that a decision has NOT yet been taken on the tariff application by BPC,’ BERA said, adding that it is still reviewing stakeholder input following public hearings held on February 10.

The clarification highlights the delicate balance policymakers face as they weigh cost-reflective tariffs against affordability concerns in an economy where electricity remains a critical input for both industry and households. A sharp increase, if approved, could ripple through inflation, affecting everything from manufacturing to food prices.

BERA sought to reassure consumers that the process remains ongoing and consultative. ‘The Authority is still assessing this application taking into account the submissions made by stakeholders,’ it said. While the denial may cool immediate fears, it underscores that a significant tariff adjustment is still under consideration. The regulator said it would communicate the outcome through official channels ‘once a decision has been taken,’ leaving markets and consumers watching closely for the next move.

Last week, a striking political paradox unfolded when a senior government minister publicly praised a youth protest that was, in essence, an indictment of his own administration.

‘Always with you, never above you! I’m proud of the Young Turks!! Moono-Wa-Baithuti and Botswana National Front Youth League Official for rejecting agent provocateurs, and leading a peaceful protest earlier today,’ minister of health Stephen Modise wrote, language that suggested alignment with the very voices calling out systemic shortcomings under his government’s watch.

Despite Modise’s attempt to politicise and frame the protest as a disciplined, party-led action by the Botswana National Front Youth League, the demonstration appeared far broader in scope. Students from across the political spectrum took part, underscoring that the mobilisation was not anchored to any single party structure.

Placards carried by protesters pointed to a deeper, more systemic discontent, highlighting widening frustration among Botswana’s youth over governance failures and a widening gap between policy promises and lived reality, rather than allegiance to partisan causes.

Yet in a move that blurred the lines between accountability and political messaging, Stephen Modise commended the BNF protesters, praising their discipline and peaceful conduct. The contradiction is difficult to ignore. The youth were not marching in support of the state but were demonstrating against its failures. Their protest was a critique of governance outcomes, of opportunities not delivered, and reforms that have yet to materialise at scale. Commentators say for a sitting minister to applaud that moment is to implicitly acknowledge the legitimacy of the discontent, even as he remains part of the machinery being challenged.

In many political contexts, such a protest would trigger defensiveness or rebuttal. But in Gaborone, it elicited endorsement. ‘The strategy by the minister appears calibrated inorder to absorb criticism rather than confront it,’ says a political commentator on condition of anonymity, adding that ‘he was trying to position leadership as empathetic rather than embattled. By validating the protest, the minister amplifies its core message that the government is falling short.’

Botswana’s reputation for stability has long rested on responsive governance and prudent economic management. Yet the persistence of youth unemployment and underemployment is eroding that narrative. The student protest in Gaborone is less an isolated event than a visible manifestation of a deeper structural strain.

The Botswana Examinations Council (BEC) has released the 2025 Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) results, presenting a portrait of an education system that is managing to carry most students across the finish line, while struggling to produce high-performing candidates.

At first glance, the data points to stability. ‘Among all the Grades awarded this year, 95.65% were Grade G or Better,’ the council said, suggesting that the overwhelming majority of candidates are meeting the minimum threshold. Similarly, ‘the proportion of Grades at E or Better is 78.68%,’ indicating that most students are achieving what policymakers would consider functional pass levels. But the distribution thins sharply at the top.

Only ‘37.07%’ of candidates achieved a C or better, and a mere ‘3.01%’ reached Grade A or better, a figure that underscores a narrow pipeline of top academic performers. In systems analysis terms, Botswana’s secondary education outcomes appear bottom-heavy as they are strong at ensuring baseline competency, but weak in cultivating excellence.

The structural changes to the examination system further complicate interpretation. Education officials have urged caution in interpreting the figures. ‘Because of the significant changes in the assessment structure, comparison of performance with previous cohorts is not relevant,’ the council noted, pointing to the rollout of Botswana Senior Secondary Education subjects, which now make up more than half of the 46 subjects offered. The shift marks a transition year, complicating direct historical comparisons.

Even so, elite performance remains exceptionally rare. The criteria for distinction, at least six A* grades, was met by just ‘eleven (11)’ candidates nationwide, drawn from seven centres. The top-performing student recorded ‘7A*, 2A, and 2C from a total of 11 syllabuses*,’ a strong individual outcome that contrasts sharply with the broader cohort’s distribution.

From a participation standpoint, the candidate pool shrank slightly. A total of 35,366 candidates sat for the exams, down 4.2% from 2024. Female candidates continued to dominate, accounting for 59.18% of entries, compared with 40.82% male. a persistent gender imbalance that may have longer-term labour market implications.

Education experts say the results are best described as mixed, leaning structurally weak at the top end. On the positive side, Botswana’s education system is achieving mass inclusion and minimum competency. A 95.65% rate at Grade G or better suggests limited outright failure, which is critical for social stability and basic workforce readiness.

However, the low proportion of high grades signals a deeper systemic issue. With only 3.01% of candidates attaining A-level performance, the system is producing too few students equipped for competitive tertiary education pathways, particularly in high-skill fields such as STEM, finance, and technology.

Botswana is stepping up efforts to secure duty-free access for its rough diamonds into the United States, signalling it will not retreat from its push to cut tariffs from 15 percent to zero despite a shifting global trade landscape.

Minerals and Energy Minister Bogolo Kenewendo said government remains committed to removing the levy entirely, after successfully negotiating it down from 37 percent last year. ‘We will continue our efforts until there are no tariffs imposed,’ she said, describing the move as critical to restoring competitiveness in Botswana’s diamond sector.

The tariff was introduced in April 2025 under a reciprocal trade framework targeting countries with perceived imbalances. Following diplomatic engagement , the rate was reduced to 15 percent in August, with further proposals now under consideration by Washington.

Officials say negotiations remain ongoing, with Botswana opting for a measured approach rather than reactive policy shifts. Naledi Madala, a senior policy adviser at the Ministry of Finance, said government would prioritise long-term economic strategy over short-term responses to global trade volatility.

The stakes are high. While Botswana’s direct exports to the US are limited, the country sits at the centre of the global diamond supply chain. The US accounts for more than half of global diamond demand, with Botswana’s stones typically cut and polished in hubs such as India, the United Arab Emirates and Belgium before reaching American consumers.

That pipeline is now under strain. Tariffs on key processing centres including India and the UAE are adding friction to an already weak market, compounding pressure from subdued global demand.

Following years of controversy and debate over transgender and athletes with disorders in sex development (DSD)’s participation in female competition, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has now published ‘a new Policy on the Protection of the Female (Women’s) Category in Olympic Sport.’

The new policy was announced by the IOC president Kirsty Coventry this past Thursday. Under the policy, ‘all disciplines on the Sports Programme of an IOC Event, including individual and team sports, eligibility for any Female Category is limited to Biological Females.’

In her announcement, the IOC president said while the topic is ‘very sensitive topic,’ the policy ‘is based on science. And it has been laid by medical experts with the best interests of the athletes at its heart.’

‘The scientific evidence is very clear. Male chromosomes give performance advantages in sports that rely on strength, power, or endurance. At the Olympic Games, even the smallest margins can be the difference between victory and defeat. So, it is absolutely clear that it would not be fair for biological males to compete in the female category. In addition, in some sports, it would simply not be safe,’ Coventry said.

Addressing the issue of advantage bestowed by male chromosomes, the IOC said ‘there is a 10-12 per cent performance advantage in most running and swimming events, 20+ per cent in most throwing and jumping events, while the advantage in events that involve explosive power, such as collision, lifting and punching sports ‘can be greater than 100 per cent.’

It says that to protect fairness in such sports and events, as well as safety particularly in contact sports like combat, collision or projectile sports, ‘it is necessary and adequate to base eligibility for competition on biological sex.’

As such, under the new policy, female athletes will be expected to undergo a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ sex test to determine their eligibility to participate in any Olympic sport.

‘Every athlete must be treated with dignity and respect. And athletes would only need to be screened once in a lifetime. There must be clear education around the process, with counselling available alongside expert medical advice,’ Coventry says.

With dignity of the athletes and respect in mind, the IOC says the ‘least intrusive way’ of biological sex screening currently available, which is ‘screening for the SRY Gene,’ will be undertaken on female athletes.

To this end, the IOC says the screening to be done ‘via saliva, cheek swab or blood sample,’ which it says ‘is minimally intrusive.’ According to the IOC, ‘the presence of the SRY Gene is fixed and thus provides better evidence of biological sex than measuring testosterone levels, which are variable and can be changed.’ It further states that ‘SRY Gene screening is almost always sufficient to determine sex for eligibility purposes.’

‘All Biological Female athletes screened will be negative and eligible, and virtually all athletes who screen positive will have testes/testicles that naturally produce testosterone at adult Male levels,’ the IOC says.

While barred from competing in female sports, transgender and DSD athletes will not be completely shut out from competing. The IOC says athletes with an SRY-positive screen, including XY transgender and androgen-sensitive XY-DSD athletes, will ‘continue to be included in all other classifications for which they qualify.’

These may include ‘any male category, including in a designated male slot within any mixed category, and any open category or in sports and events that do not classify athletes by sex.’

According to the IOC, the policy ‘applies to all IOC Events and enters into force at the date of its adoption by the IOC Executive Board. It is not retroactive and shall be applicable for the first time at the LA28 Olympic Games.’

‘The IOC recognises the importance of widespread participation in grassroots and recreational sports programmes, and the impact that sport has in society. However, the Olympic games has a focus on elite sport. And in elite sport, we must ensure the fairness, safety and integrity of all competitions within the games.’

Botswana could find itself losing its battle against the Foot and Mouth outbreak in the North East District (3c) and (6b) Zones as some livestock owners in the affected areas breach of quarantine zones.

Coordinator of the Foot Mouth Disease(FMD) Control in the North East District Dr Benard Mbeha revealed last week that, ‘the main challenge that we are facing is that some farmers are refusing or simply ignoring to comply with our disease control measures which directly undermines our efforts in the fight against the disease. They let their animals roam in the affected areas. Some of them simply skip mandated vaccination cycles. Non- vaccination of livestock by farmers has also led to other disease infections such as the Lumpy skin,’

Addressing the just ended Full Council meeting in Masunga, Mbeha warned that the non-compliance could spread the disease to free areas particularly the nearby Zone (6a) which is listed for export.

‘We want to enforce tighter control measures. Livestock that are found roaming in the restricted zone areas will be destroyed. Maybe this will send a strong message for these farmers to take responsibility and take care of their livestock,’ he warned.

He emphasized that illegal livestock movements, failure to vaccinate and breach of quarantine zones have the potential to enable the virus to spread causing trade suspensions and threatening the country’s beef export market in the European Union.

FMD was officially confirmed in the country on the 29th of January 2026 in the North East District. The virus was detected in Jackalas 1 village(Zone 6b) prompting a suspension of the FMD free-status and later Zone (3c) in villages such as Maitengwe. Immediate bans of cloven-hoofed animal movements were implemented, including Zone 6b and 3c.

Dr Mbeha said FMD control is still restricted to Zone 3c and 6b in the North East District. On a positive note he said their surveillance has shown that there is no further spread of the disease out of these restricted areas. He said the disease within 3c where they initially had cases has been eradicated. They however continue to have cases at Mowana and Senyawe villages in Zone 6b. He said this is possible because the vaccine they have administered on the animals takes time to be effective.

In terms of vaccination of cattle in Zone 6b, he said they achieved 91 percent in the first round and 96 percent in the second round. As for Zone 3c they reached 93 percent and 97 percent respectively. Looking at the figures, he said it is clear that there are a number of animals that are still not being brought for vaccination. He expressed concern that this poses a risk for further infections.

Dr Mbeha said compensation for destroyed animals remains the same as per Directive of 2016, which is P700 for each cattle and P400 for each goat.

Meanwhile Dr Mbeha said Botswana continues to be susceptible to FMD disease due to the current FMD outbreaks in neighbouring countries such as Zimbabwe and South Africa. He said the control measures in these two countries have not been very effective.

‘It will take time before we are out of the FMD risks due to the situation in the neighbouring countries,’ he said.

Botswana’s entry into the global cannabis industry has been overshadowed by a growing public dispute over ownership, control and who stands to benefit after a Swedish firm announced it had secured the country’s first cultivation licence.

On its LinkedIn page, Hemp Holding AB, a Sweden-based company, declared that its local vehicle, Hemp Innovations Botswana, had ‘officially acquired the first license to cultivate both medical cannabis and industrial hemp in Botswana.’

‘This is more than a permit. It is the foundation of a new regulated industry – one built on compliance, science, sustainability, and international standards such as GACP and EU-GMP,’ the company said.

It outlined ambitions to position Botswana as a ‘trusted exporter to the EU and global markets,’ while promising job creation, skills transfer, farmer inclusion and the attraction of international capital.

But the announcement quickly triggered a backlash from regional industry bodies who warned that the project risks reproducing extractive economic models that have long disadvantaged African economies.

The African Hemp Consortium was among the first to respond as it warned that licence allocations must prioritise local ownership and governance.

‘Africa’s emerging natural capital industries cannot afford to replicate externally controlled extraction models under the banner of compliance or first-mover positioning,’ the consortium said.

It added that regulatory credibility would not be judged solely on export readiness, but on ‘who governs the asset, where value accumulates, and how domestic institutional capacity is strengthened.’

The intervention set off a back-and-forth exchange online with Hemp Holding AB defending its structure.

‘Good day, we have strong local partners and government bodies as partners and local shareholders in the company,’ the firm said. ‘All employees will be local apart from a few external experts or consultants bringing knowledge to the nation.’

However, concerns deepened as other industry players joined the debate.

The African Medicinal Cannabis Council (AMCC) warned that Botswana’s natural resources must not be reduced to inputs for foreign-controlled value chains.

‘Botswana’s land and natural capital must generate durable value for the people of Botswana, not function primarily as upstream supply for externally controlled processing and capital structures,’ the council said.

It cautioned against ‘regulatory capture and disproportionate external influence,’ arguing that long-term credibility of the sector would depend on where governance authority sits and whether value addition happens within the country.

The council also took issue with business models geared toward foreign markets, saying operators focused on developing products for Europe risk sidelining domestic benefit.

‘Africa’s medicinal and industrial cannabis industries cannot replicate legacy extraction patterns under a modern compliance framework,’ AMCC said.

The African Hemp Consortium doubled down, arguing that any model built primarily around export markets risks extracting value rather than generating it locally.

‘If a business is ‘developing bio products for Europe’s circular change,’ it must be recognised that the model relies entirely on Botswana’s land, resources and communities,’ it said. ‘Anything less is not sustainable or credible.’

Adding to the criticism, Cannabis Research UK warned that such models often fail to deliver meaningful benefits.

‘This is a concerning pattern. Research shows that companies prioritising external markets over local governance and value retention often fail to deliver meaningful community or economic benefits – and many ultimately fail or go into liquidation,’ the organisation said.

In response, Hemp Holding AB appeared to strike a more conciliatory tone, acknowledging some of the concerns.

‘Good day, I somewhat agree and we will of course grow for local needs (grains) and what the legislation allows us to,’ the company said.

The dispute comes as Botswana takes its first steps into regulating cannabis production, a sector seen globally as a high-growth industry with potential for export earnings, job creation and industrial diversification.

At the heart of the debate is a familiar question: whether Botswana can leverage the cannabis industry to build domestic capacity and retain value, or whether it risks becoming a low-value supplier in a globally controlled supply chain.

Titans Softball Club wants to grow the sport big by taking it outside the usual cities into new areas.

The club plans to host the Makgadikgadi Grand Slam Series in Nata, near the Makgadikgadi Pans. The club hopes the event will help softball reach more people across Botswana.

Teams affiliated with Botswana Softball Association, both male and female, will be invited to take part in the tournament. The tournament is scheduled for the Independence holidays in September this year.

Historically, softball in Botswana is played in urban areas, especially in Gaborone, where there are better facilities and more support. This has made it difficult for the sport to grow in other parts of the country. Titans believes taking the game to Nata can help change that.

Nata is located along a busy road in the northeast known for its proximity to the Makgadikgadi area. The club believes this makes it an appropriate place to host a tournament that combines sport with travel. Players and supporters will not only watch games but also experience a different part of Botswana.

The club wants the Makgadikgadi Grand Slam Series to be more than just a normal tournament but the tournament of note. It plans to include activities that will attract fans and keep them engaged throughout the event. This includes proper scheduling, good facilities, and an organised match programme.

Gabantese said Titans is serious about delivering a professional event. She explained that the club is focusing on strong competition, good playing conditions, and smooth organisation. ‘We want to deliver a high-quality tournament that raises the standards locally,’ she said.

To make this happen, Titans has asked companies and partners to support the tournament. The club says it needs sponsorship to run the event properly and to make it attractive for both players and fans.

‘We are inviting sponsors and stakeholders to be part of this softball tournament,’ said the club’s secretary general, Atlang Gabantese.

She said the idea is to create a tournament that benefits all. Sponsors will get exposure for their brands while also helping to develop sport in the country. For Titans, the goal is to build something that can grow every year.

She added that sponsors will have many ways to be involved. These include branding at the venue, marketing opportunities, and digital promotion before and during the tournament. The club is also open to ideas that can improve the overall experience for players and fans.

For Titans, this tournament is not just about one event. It is part of a bigger plan to grow softball in Botswana and make it more popular. By moving games away from traditional centres, the club hopes to introduce the sport to people who have not had the chance to watch or play it before.

‘We see this tournament as an important step in growing softball beyond the traditional centres,’ Gabantese said.

However, the success of the event will depend on support. Without enough sponsorship, it will be difficult to organise the tournament at the level the club wants. At the same time, good planning and execution will be key to making sure the event runs smoothly.

Titans remain hopeful that businesses and partners will come on board. The club believes the Makgadikgadi Grand Slam Series has the potential to become a regular event and help build the sport in new areas. Depending on its success, the tournament could open the door for more events like this in the future. For now, Titans is focused on making the first edition a success and showing that softball can grow beyond the big cities.

The government has moved to draw a firm line between intelligence work and public procurement. Minister of State President Moeti Mohwasa told Parliament this week that the Directorate of Intelligence and Security Service (DIS) ‘has no legal authority to award, direct, or cancel procurement.’

Responding to a question from Leader of the Opposition Dumelang Saleshando, the Minister sought to address long standing concerns that the spy agency had strayed into government procurement decision making.

‘The Directorate of Intelligence and Security Service has no legal authority to award, direct, or cancel procurement,’ Mohwasa told Parliament. ‘It shares security related intelligence with procurement authorities, which make independent decisions.’

The response comes amid persistent allegations that the DIS had exerted undue influence over procurement processes under the previous government.

Mohwasa emphasised that procurement decisions rest solely with legally mandated bodies. ‘Institutions such as the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority retain full and independent decision making powers,’ he said. ‘Any allegations of improper influence can be reported to oversight authorities such as the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime.’

Saleshando had also asked whether courts had found the DIS to have acted outside its mandate. In response, Mohwasa said there is no centralised record of such judgments.

‘Providing a definitive figure would require an extensive case by case review,’ he said, adding that ‘adverse findings are taken seriously, and measures are taken to ensure compliance.’ On financial accountability, the Minister said the DIS operated without external audit from its establishment in 2008 until 2018, when it opened its books to the Auditor General. ‘Oversight structures are now operational, except for the Parliamentary Committee on Intelligence and Security, which is expected to become operational soon,’ he said.

Regarding the agency’s broader role, Mohwasa said the DIS contributes intelligence to financial investigations where national security is implicated. On the Bank of Botswana matter, he said ‘a holistic examination is underway.’

He added that updates on administrative, institutional and oversight reforms would be tabled before the Parliamentary Committee on Intelligence and Security once it is fully operational.