Opposition Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) president and businessman Mpho Balopi and several others appeared before the Broadhurst Regional Magistrates court charged fraud, attempted obtaining by false pretenses and money laundering linked to funds advanced by the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA).
According to the charge sheet, Balopi is charged in both his personal capacity and as director of Native Outdoor (Pty) Ltd and Native Impressions (Pty) Ltd.
The Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) alleges that Balopi, Native Outdoor, Stess Engineering (Pty) Ltd and its director Thomas Sidney Sharpe fraudulently induced CEDA to release P669,842.11 in February 2023 by misrepresenting that funds would be used for billboard-related works, including cladding, transfers and installations of advertising structures.
Balopi also faces a separate fraud charge alongside Keysource (Pty) Ltd, its directors Tshepiso Innocent Makgoeng and Duncan Mothusi Gaolebe. Prosecutors allege that the group misrepresented to CEDA that a loan of P2.89 million would be used to procure and install a digital LED screen system. The charge sheet alleges the equipment was never supplied despite the funds being paid out.
The charge sheet further alleges that the accused had no intention of using the funds for the stated project, causing financial prejudice to CEDA.
In a second count, the same accused persons are alleged to have attempted to obtain P1.39 million from CEDA in December 2023 through alleged false quotations, invoices and cash receipts submitted as proof of expenditure on billboard construction.
Balopi also faces a separate fraud charge alongside Keysource (Pty) Ltd, its directors Tshepiso Innocent Makgoeng and Duncan Mothusi Gaolebogwe. Prosecutors allege that the group misrepresented to CEDA that a loan of P2.89 million would be used to procure and install a digital LED screen system. The charge sheet alleges the equipment was never supplied despite the funds being paid out.
The matter also includes four money laundering counts. Prosecutors allege that proceeds linked to the alleged fraud were transferred between accounts held by Stess Engineering, Native Impressions, Keysource and Native Outdoor.
Among the transactions cited are transfers of P462,242.64 from Stess Engineering to Native Impressions and P2.39 million from Keysource to Native Outdoor.
