Legal battle over P1.5 billion Ncojane water works escalates in Botswana

The legal dispute concerning Botswana's P1.5 billion Ncojane Water Supply Works project has intensified, with Tawana Joint Venture seeking to hold senior government officials in contempt of court. The consortium, comprising G4 Civils Pty Ltd, Landmark Projects Pty Ltd, and Asphalt Botswana Pty Ltd, alleges that officials failed to comply with High Court and Court of Appeal judgments that, according to Tawana Joint Venture, mandated the award of the contract to them. The current application before the High Court's Justice Tapiwa Kganyago also includes a preliminary legal challenge regarding the Attorney General's authority to represent Deputy Permanent Secretary Boikhutso Botlhole and Deputy Permanent Secretary Nchidzi Mmolawa in their personal capacities. The consortium argues that the requirements of Section 6 of the State Proceedings Act have not been met for such representation. The Ncojane Water Supply Works project aims to improve water supply in the Charles Hill and Kgalagadi North Districts and has been subject to litigation since Tawana Joint Venture challenged the procurement process and the decision preventing them from securing the tender, ultimately succeeding in their legal challenge.