*Six former and two current ministers reportedly summoned
The government’s forensic audit conducted by Alvarez & Marsal Middle East Limited, has been granted a one month extension, with completion now expected at the end of March2026 instead of February.
The P60 million project has so far entered Phase 2 and is examining government and State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) over a ten-year period dating back to 2014.
“Phase 1 of the project was conducted and completed on time. This entailed a rigorous risk-profiling process, on the basis of which 30 entities were identified. Phase 2 of the project entails the detailed forensic audit of each of the 30 entities. It commenced after completion of Phase 1 and is progressing as expected,” said the task force spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Christopher Mbulawa.
He confirmed that indeed the forensic audit will complete its work at the end of March and hand over the report to the President in April.
“You might recall that the Forensic Audit was scheduled for completion by February this year. The audit will be completed in March 2026 as announced in the State of the Nation Address,” he said.
The former police officer said that since the project is ongoing they are constrained to share any details of the investigation such as, who has appeared before the team, how much corruption has been uncovered, or how many cases have been referred to other state organs for further investigation.
Unconfirmed reports indicate that a total of six former ministers, and two sitting ministers have been summoned to the investigating team, whilst practices of maladministration have been found to be concentrated in at least four SOEs and five ministries.
Our sources have further alleged that the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture, former Ministry of Transport and Communications, and Ministry of Tertiary Education, former Ministry of Lands,Water Resources and Sanitation, Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism have been found to be non compliant with government processes. SOEs include Botswana Railways, Botswana National Youth Council, Botswana Qualifications Authority and Ministry of Health.
However, the forensic audit spokesperson would not be drawn into discussing the ongoing investigation since that could send a wrong message to the public.
“The Forensic audit is still ongoing; therefore, at this stage, we are unable to comment on the number of cases to be referred to any state organ for further investigation. There are inherent challenges in conducting any forensic audit. We, however, received general cooperation from the audited entities,” Mbulawa said.
He stated that the audit team has cast its net far and wide and interviewed anyone who could assist with the forensic audit, regardless of their status.
