GCC sues Balopi over billboard company debt, illegal operation

The case was filed on February 11, 2026, with the council seeking a court order compelling Balopi’s company to remove what it describes as “illegal and unauthorised” advertising billboards across Gaborone. On the other case, the GCC alleges that Balopi’s company owes over P2 million for its failure to pay for the legal billboard operations. The revelations emerged after the council conducted an advertising inventory exercise throughout the city.

The purpose of the audit was to verify the legality of outdoor advertising structures. The council argues that the billboards were erected without proper authorisation and are therefore in violation of city planning regulations. According to court papers, the structures in question are located in several high-profile areas.

These include sites in front of the Ledumang level crossing, Northgate Mall, the Mandela/Noko Road intersection along the A1 Road, and in front of Plot 65956 in Setlhoa, Block 10. Through its attorney, Khumomotse Attorneys, the GCC maintains that the structures contravene applicable planning laws and by-laws. “We want an order directing the defendant to remove the said structure within a period determined by this Court,” the court papers state.

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Furthermore, the documents reveal that between September 22 and October 8, 2025, “the council conducted an extensive advertising inventory exercise throughout the city.” The purpose of this audit was to verify the legality of outdoor advertising structures. “During this process, Native Outdoor was reportedly advised to submit documentation proving lawful authority to erect and operate the billboards. The statement, whilst some may say, comes a little bit too late, is timely as gender-based violence (GBV) continues to haunt the country.

A week hardly passes without reports of a wife, a girlfriend or boyfriend being killed by their intimate partners. Just recently, a high-ranking officer stationed at Glen Valley Barracks reportedly murdered his wife and has so far managed to evade arrest. It is also alleged that another soldier murdered his…

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