04 Aug 2026

The Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs is already at an advanced stage of investigating foreign work permit abuse and immigration syndicates. 

This was said by labour and home affairs minister, Major General (Rtd) Pius Mokgware Parliament on Monday, debating a motion that called for an independent inquiry into work permit abuses and non-compliance with citizen subcontracting mandates, tabled by MP for Nkange, Mr Motlhaleemang Moalosi.

Minister Mokgware confirmed that sophisticated criminal cartels producing fake passports and work permits remained a concern, but insisted active measures were already underway.

He revealed that an existing multi-agency task force, comprising experts from the Department of Immigration, Directorate of Intelligence and Security Services (DISS), Botswana Police Service and the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC), was currently on the ground and would produce a comprehensive report upon completing its task.

“These issues are of a serious concern as recently we have arrested close to 100 people who are involved in those criminal activities. Some are from Pakistan, Bangladesh and India among others. We also raided the mine at Toteng where we charged some individuals and companies engaged there,” he said.

He noted that authorities had observed a high frequency of culprits using farming permits, adding that all farming permits were currently being scrutinised under special measures to curb the problem. 

He urged MPs to exercise patience and await the ongoing task force’s results, adding that new systems had been put in place to detect fraudulent bookings.

Following the minister’s response, Parliament rejected the motion on the grounds that the existing task force was already executing the proposed mandate.

The mover of the motion, MP Moalosi had requested government to immediately establish a high-level task force mandated to investigate work permit abuses and citizen sub-contracting non-compliance, with a requirement to submit actionable recommendations to Parliament within six months.

Supporting the minister’s sentiments, MP for Kgatleng Central, Mr Mpho Morolong, argued against the motion, stating that there was no need for a new body while active investigations were underway to dismantle criminal networks.

However, Mr Morolong quizzed the efficacy of the DISS, noting that despite deploying officers to the Department of Immigration, fraudulent work permits and passport forgery remained rampant.

“It is unfortunate as the national forensic audit did not cover the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs. This is a serious omission. In other countries, immigration issues are a concern and they do overlap to other departments like Labour and I wish the mover of the motion could withdraw the motion and call for review of fines charged for such criminal activities because they are very low,” he said.

Other legislators supported the motion, emphasising the need for an independent body.

MP for Tswapong South, Dr Kesitegile Gobotswang, supported the motion, arguing that only an independent task force could dig deeper without fear or favour. 

Citing processes in South Africa, he stated that Botswana’s low statutory fines failed to deter repeat offenders and advocated for the deportation of those charged. 

He added that major culprits included mine and truck operators, claiming that many in the trucking industry were damaging local water sources through illegal mining.

“We want a task force that will investigate all individuals without fear or favour and come up with solutions on issues of compliance and enforcement of existing laws among others,” Dr Gobotswang noted.

MP for Kgatleng East, Mr Mabuse Pule, also backed the motion, pointing out the complex network of forged travel documents, fake permits, human trafficking and marriages of convenience. 

He argued that the complexity required an independent body with specialised expertise to look at the issues objectively. Mr Pule emphasised that locals were being denied opportunities, with foreigners being hired for jobs that did not require rare and specialised skills.

Similarly, MP for Maun West, Mr Goretetse Kekgonegile, supported the motion as highly relevant, citing widespread local unemployment due to unfair practices. 

He highlighted that foreigners mostly occupied farming roles and sub-contracting jobs that should go to local companies. 

Mr Kekgonegile acknowledged the existence of District Law Enforcement Committees, but he however argued that they were failing to curb the problem and argued that the proposed task force could protect local jobs by restricting foreign work permits and enforcing sector reservations for citizens. ENDS