17 Jun 2026

Former Minister of Minerals and Energy, Lefoko Moagi, declined to explain how he came into possession of a company bank card loaded with P4.6 million, the Gaborone Regional Magistrate Court heard on Monday.

Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) investigating officer, Mr Ndiye Ndiye, told the court that Moagi exercised his right to remain silent when questioned about the card.

“I interviewed him and he opted to remain silent,” Mr Ndiye said before Regional Magistrate Mr Mareledi Dipate in a case where Moagi faces corruption and money laundering charges.

Mr Ndiye said the former minister’s silence denied investigators an opportunity to establish why he possessed a bank card belonging to a company that conducted business with the ministry he headed.

As a result, he said, the only inference he could draw was that the arrangement may have been linked to corrupt activities, given the relationship between the company and the ministry.

The court heard that Moagi was neither an employee nor a director of Wise Creatives Pty Ltd, New Energy Pty Ltd, or Ryders Pty Ltd, companies that share the same directors.

Mr Ndiye further testified that neither the companies nor Bank Gaborone, which issued the card, had reported it missing or stolen.

Responding to questions from state prosecutor Mr Ambrose Mubika, the investigating officer said investigations found no evidence that any of the three companies were registered as banking institutions.

He also told the court that approximately P1.8 million of the P4.6 million loaded onto the card had been spent by the accused.

Under cross-examination by defence attorney, Mr Tengo Tubadiri, Mr Ndiye agreed that tenders were scrutinizsed through various stages before reaching the minister.  

The investigating officer also acknowledged that Moagi was within his constitutional rights to remain silent during questioning.

Mr Ndiye further testified that Moagi did not declare any interest in the companies when submitting his asset declarations to the Permanent Secretary to the President and the Ethics and Integrity Directorate.

According to the declarations examined during the investigation, Moagi disclosed a P4 million loan with CEDA, loans amounting to about P300,000 with FNB, a P30,000 credit card facility and ownership of three farms.

The court heard that New Energy Company Pty Ltd and Ryders Pty Ltd were allegedly granted prospecting and exploration licences while Moagi served as minister.

Investigators allege that Moagi later received a bank card from Wise Creatives Pty Ltd, whose directors are linked to both New Energy Company Pty Ltd and Ryders Pty Ltd. ENDS