02 Nov 2026

Government is establishing a dedicated team of investigators to handle 80 serious matters identified in the National Forensic Audit Programme, involving suspected bribery, corruption, fraud, embezzlement, collusion, unlawful enrichment and other acts of serious misconduct.

Minister of International Relations, Dr Phenyo Butale, said the matters required follow-up investigations, asset tracking and assessment, recovery analysis and, where appropriate, criminal, civil, disciplinary or other enforcement action.  

Responding to a question in Ntlo Ya Dikgosi on Wednesday, Dr Butale said the forensic audit, conducted by Alvarez & Marsal Middle East Limited (A&M), covered the period from April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2024. 

The report was presented to the President on April 30, 2026.

He said the published summary report consolidated findings and recommendations from 30 forensic audits conducted across prioritised government ministries, departments, state-owned entities, regulatory bodies and oversight agencies.

However, the detailed reports containing entity-specific findings, supporting evidence and information relevant to possible investigations and remedial action have yet to be handed over to the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) and other relevant government agencies.

Dr Butale attributed the delay, in part, to challenges in procuring a secure electronic platform to transfer the audit materials from A&M’s systems to a secure platform-owned and controlled by government. He said the process was at an advanced stage of completion.

The detailed reports contain information on individuals, companies and other entities whose levels of accountability have been assessed, including possible suspects.

Meanwhile, the government is taking steps to strengthen the capacity of investigative agencies, particularly the DCEC, and improve the mechanisms for implementing reforms arising from the audit.

Dr Butale said the measures would seek to ensure sufficient independence, technical capacity, credibility and authority to translate the audit findings and recommendations into a prioritised implementation plan. The reforms would also include legislative, policy, institutional and operational changes.

He added that the Forensic Audit Implementation Steering Committee was seeking a date to brief the Ntlo Ya Dikgosi on the report as part of its media and communication plan.

Dr Butale was responding to a question from Kgosi Khama IV of Ga-Mmangwato, who had wanted to know the current status of the forensic audit report, whether the DCEC had received and reviewed it and, if not, the reasons for the delay, as well as the steps being taken regarding matters arising from the report that may require further investigation. ENDS