Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) President Mpho Balopi is expected to take his plea on December 2, 2026, in a criminal case involving alleged fraud, attempted obtaining by false pretences, and money laundering linked to transactions with the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA).
Balopi is among eight accused persons facing seven criminal charges arising from alleged irregularities in CEDA-funded projects. The case has attracted significant public attention due to Balopi’s political standing and his position as leader of the former ruling party.
The charge sheet from the accused persons’ arraignment in September indicates that the charges comprise two counts of fraud, one count of attempting to obtain money by false pretences, and four counts of money laundering. The allegations are being pursued by the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) and the prosecution.
The State alleges that the accused defrauded CEDA in connection with a project-specific loan in February 2023, which was paid out but allegedly not used to implement the intended project.
Prosecutors further allege that some of the accused attempted to obtain approximately P1.4 million from the agency in December 2023 using documents presented as proof of payment for services rendered. The money laundering charges relate to financial transactions involving funds alleged to have been obtained through criminal activity.
Balopi is charged alongside Native Outdoor (Pty) Ltd, Native Impressions (Pty) Ltd, Stess Engineering (Pty) Ltd, Thomas Sidney Sharpe, Keysource (Pty) Ltd, Tshepiso Innocent Makgoeng, and Duncan Mothusi Gaolebogwe.
In September, the accused persons were granted bail after appearing before the Broadhurst Regional Magistrates’ Court. The State did not oppose bail, according to the DCEC’s court update.
