In a resounding judgment that has sent ripples through the corporate and legal sectors, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) has suffered its third consecutive legal defeat to Ramachandran Ottapathu, the embattled CEO of Choppies Enterprises Limited, and the retail giant itself.
The High Court of Botswana once again on the 1st April 2025, ruled in favor of Ramachandran, reinforcing his longstanding claims of wrongful conduct by PWC during its tenure as the external auditor for Choppies.
This latest ruling which was before Justice Mokwadi Chris Gabana gae in Gaborone High Court closes another chapter in a string of legal battles that began after the fallout between the auditing firm and the board of Choppies in 2019.
PWC had filed suit seeking to defend its handling of the Choppies audit and its controversial resignation, but the court found their claims lacked merit. The suit was therefore dismissed with costs.
Justice Kebonang, in a firm and detailed ruling, dismissed PWC’s application, citing procedural flaws, a failure to prove damages, and insufficient evidence to support the claims. Notably, the judge pointed out that PWC had failed to produce any credible evidence of reputational harm or financial loss linked to the public dispute.
This decision marks a hat-trick of losses for PWC in matters related to Choppies and Ramachandran. In previous judgments, the court had sided with the retail magnate, who has consistently argued that PWC’s conduct not only harmed his reputation but also destabilized one of Botswana’s largest employers.
Legal observers view this series of defeats as a significant blow to PWC’s regional credibility. “This ruling once again highlights how critical transparency, accountability, and procedural correctness are for professional services firms,” said a Gaborone-based corporate lawyer.
For Ramachandran and Choppies, the outcome is a vindication of sorts. It paves the way for renewed focus on rebuilding trust in the brand after a tumultuous period marked by boardroom tensions, regulatory scrutiny, and public fallout.
Despite these losses, it remains unclear whether PWC intends to appeal or if this latest ruling signals the end of their legal entanglement with Choppies. Regardless, the message from the courts has been unequivocal: the facts and the law favor Ramachandran.
