Botswana’s principal opposition party, the Botswana Congress Party (BCP), alongside the Botswana Republican Party (BRP), have called for the revocation of former government minister Lefoko Moagi’s prestigious national honor should he be convicted on charges of corruption. Currently out on P5000 bail, Moagi served as the Minister for Mineral Resources, Green Technology, and Energy Security. He now faces the ignominious prospect of becoming the first individual to be divested of the highest national accolade after being formally charged with a single count of corruption earlier this week.
In an interview, BCP spokesperson Greg Kelebonye emphasized that a national honor symbolizes the trust a nation places in its recipient and a testament to their integrity. He asserted that such awards exist to recognize exemplary service to the republic and to inspire similar dedication in others. To retain such an honor after betraying public trust undermines the entire system’s credibility.
“Therefore, should anyone who has had such an award bestowed upon them be found guilty of a serious crime, such as corruption, the person would have fundamentally violated the public trust and must be stripped of the award,” Kelebonye stated firmly. He also cautioned that mere allegations or accusations should not suffice to strip an individual of their honor; only a conclusive criminal conviction in accordance with relevant statutes ought to trigger such a measure. Echoing this cautious stance, BRP President Biggie Butale underscored the importance of allowing the judicial process to unfold before any definitive conclusions are drawn.
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“We will see what the judgement says and it will depend on the severity communicated in the sentencing. If the judge or magistrate says ‘it is morally reprehensible’ and it is harsh, the state then should consider recalling the honour,” said Butale, who is also a trained lawyer. Moagi, who represented the Ramotswa constituency, was awarded the Naledi Ya Botswana in September 2014 by former President Mokgweetsi Masisi.
This honor is reserved for individuals who have rendered outstanding service to the Republic of Botswana. During his tenure as Minister for Minerals, Moagi led Masisi’s 12-member “dream team” that negotiated a new diamond beneficiation agreement with De Beers. This group, which began its work in June 2023, included senior government officials such as Permanent Secretary to the President Emmah Peloetletse, Mmako Abram, Abraham Keetshabe, Cornelious Dekop, Moses Pelaelo, Olesitse Masimega, Dr.
Wilfred Mandlebe, Pelaelo Khowe, Elle Richard Madisa, Dr. Obolokile Obakeng, Johannes Tsimako, and businessman Bame Pule. The initial negotiation team, which commenced talks in 2011, comprised figures like Eric Molale, Dr.
Athalia Molokomme, Linah Mohohlo, Solomon Sekwakwa, Gabaake Gabaake, Boikhutso Paya, and Terence Siamisang, all of whom were also recipients of this honor. Naledi Ya Botswana is the pinnacle of Botswana’s four public honors, followed in rank by The Presidential Order of Honour, The Presidential Order of Meritorious Service, and the Presidential Certificate of Honour. What deepens the gravity of Moagi’s situation is the overlap between the alleged corruption and the timeline of the diamond negotiations and subsequent award process.
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