Moagi Cattle Payment Under Scrutiny
31 Jul 2026
The corruption trial involving former Minister of Minerals and Energy Lefoko Moagi continued before the Broadhurst Regional Magistrates Court yesterday, with DCEC investigating officer Mr Ngiye Ngiye detailing the alleged flow of funds used in the purchase of cattle.
Mr Ngiye told the court that his investigations took him to a farm in Gantsi where Moagi had allegedly arranged to purchase 100 heifers.
He said payment for the cattle was made through two separate deposits by two Chinese nationals, amounting to P117,500 and P300,000 respectively.
Mr Ngiye said proof of payment was later shared with the seller by Moagi through WhatsApp.
He further told the court that only 92 of the 100 heifers reached their destination after some cattle died and others were lost during transportation.
He said Moagi later requested a refund of P32,000 from the seller, which was deposited into his FNB account.
The testimony was briefly interrupted after defence counsel Mr Tengo Rubadiri objected to portions of Mr Ngiye’s evidence, arguing that it amounted to hearsay.
He said the evidence relating to the payments should not be admitted because the two Chinese nationals were not expected to testify.
The prosecution opposed the objection, maintaining that Mr Ngiye was presenting findings from his investigation.
The court dismissed the objection and allowed the witness to continue.
Mr Ngiye further told the court that investigations linked the cattle payment to Seiyuon Electrical Botswana, a company awarded the multi-million pula North West Grid 2 project by Botswana Power Corporation.
He said investigations established a relationship between Moagi and the company, adding that the company had been awarded several BPC tenders.
The court also heard that, following the commencement of investigations and after Moagi had left office, the former minister and two company executives allegedly entered into a P417,000 soft loan agreement backdated to August 2024.
Mr Ngiye said investigators believed the agreement was created as a way of concealing the transaction and that Moagi benefited from the arrangement through the acquisition of the cattle.
Moagi faces charges of corruption and money laundering for allegedly receiving financial benefits from a company that conducted business with his ministry while he was minister. ENDS
Source : BOPA
Author : Taboka Ngwako
Location : Gaborone
Event : Court
Date : 31 Jul 2026
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