A High Court application has lifted the lid on an alleged web of corruption, money laundering and unexplained wealth involving former Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security, Lefoko Maxwell Moagi, linking Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) projects, mining licences and millions of pula allegedly channelled through shadowy corporate arrangements.

In an urgent ex parte application filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the State is seeking a restraining order over cattle, a bull and P2.82 million held in a Bank Gaborone account linked to Wisecreatives Investments (Pty) Ltd, which investigators allege were acquired using proceeds of serious crime.

According to court papers, Moagi is under investigation for corruption, possession of unexplained property and money laundering during his tenure as minister between November 2019 and October 2024. The DPP argues that the assets must be preserved to prevent dissipation while investigations are finalised under the Proceeds and Instruments of Crime Act (PICA).

At the centre of the case is Moagi’s alleged relationship with companies that had direct dealings with institutions falling under his ministerial portfolio, particularly BPC. Investigators allege that while BPC projects were being awarded and overseen under his ministry, Moagi benefitted financially through indirect payments and gifts disguised as loans or business transactions.

Investigators allege that P417,500 used to buy the cattle was paid through third parties to conceal the true source of the funds. When concerns later arose about possible scrutiny following a change in government, a backdated “soft loan agreement” was allegedly drawn up to make the transaction appear legitimate.

One strand of the investigation focuses on the purchase of 100 heifers and a bull in August 2024. The cattle, branded JC over YN, were bought from Ghanzi farmer Hermanus Potgieter, while the bull was sourced from Willem Degraaff. Although Moagi is said to be the buyer, payments allegedly originated from Chinese nationals linked to Sieyuan Electric Botswana (Pty) Ltd — a company that had secured multiple BPC contracts, including substation projects at Ramotswa, the Government Enclave and Sua Pan.

Investigators allege that P417,500 used to buy the cattle was paid through third parties to conceal the true source of the funds. When concerns later arose about possible scrutiny following a change in government, a backdated “soft loan agreement” was allegedly drawn up to make the transaction appear legitimate.

“The length to which Mr Moagi went to disguise the sources of the monies speaks volumes,” the DPP states in his affidavit, arguing that the cattle are proceeds of corruption and money laundering.

A second and more complex strand involves P4.7 million allegedly funnelled through Wisecreatives Investments (Pty) Ltd, a company investigators say acted as a conduit to hide payments made for Moagi’s benefit. Banking records show that the funds were transferred from New Energy Company (Pty) Ltd and Riders (Pty) Ltd, firms linked to Chinese nationals, shortly after New Energy was granted eight prospecting licences for base metals in Ghanzi, Tsabong and Tutume districts.

Those licences were approved and signed in mid-2024 when Moagi was still the responsible minister.

The Wisecreatives account, opened at Bank Gaborone in April 2024, was issued with a debit card that investigators allege was physically used by Moagi. Court papers detail transactions for animal feed, transport, retail purchases, building materials, school fees and more than R1 million paid to a private college in South Africa for his son’s tuition and accommodation.

Investigators say the balance remaining in the account -P2.82 million-is now sought to be frozen, along with the debit card and livestock, to prevent disposal.

The DPP argues that the case is urgent because money can be transferred instantly and cattle can easily be sold to unsuspecting third parties. The High Court has been asked to grant a rule nisi restraining the assets and authorising law-enforcement agencies to take custody pending possible civil forfeiture proceedings.