Ukraine uses special services to locate Batswana missing in war
via Mmegi1 min read
The Ukrainian government has engaged its special services to help locate Batswana reported missing on the frontlines of the war with Russia. This action comes in response to inquiries from concerned relatives. Ukraine's Ambassador to Botswana, Dr. Oleksiy Syvak, stated that the Embassy in Gaborone is committed to assisting Botswana and other African countries in obtaining information about their citizens believed to have been misled into participating in the conflict. The embassy has received requests for information regarding relatives who traveled to Russia and are now missing, with no details on their current location.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Mmegi.
Must ReadThe Auditor General has identified billing irregularities totaling at least P105 million at the Water Utilities Corporation WUC, corroborating customer complaints about high and inaccurate water bills. The Auditor General’s report for the financial year ending March 31, 2023, revealed that P105 million in debtor balances were incorrectly recorded in the corporation’s debtors’ book. These errors were primarily due to mistakes in meter readings, including incorrect readings being processed for billing without correction. Consequently, 257 individual customers received bills exceeding P100,000.
Must ReadBotswana's financial watchdogs have frozen approximately P184 million in assets suspected to be proceeds from financial crimes such as fraud, money laundering, or corruption. This figure, updated from P179 million in January, indicates an increase in detectable assets under investigation. The country's financial watchdogs, investigators, and prosecuting authorities recently presented findings from a national risk assessment report on money laundering and financial terrorism, highlighting ongoing efforts to recover illicitly obtained funds.
Must ReadBotswana's government is accelerating its plans to implement a 24-hour economy, with extended liquor trading hours being an initial policy change to revitalize nightlife and enhance tourism. The Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship indicated that this initiative is supported by World Bank research. This research identified several weaknesses in the tourism sector's diversification, such as low visitor numbers, shorter stays, and inadequate infrastructure.
Must ReadThe Botswana Police Service BPS has called on the public to actively participate in ensuring safety and security during the World Athletics Relays 2026, scheduled for this weekend in Gaborone. BPS Commissioner, Dinah Marathe, emphasized that the success of this event relies on the cooperation of law enforcement agencies, the public, the business community, and all stakeholders. Marathe urged Batswana to remain vigilant, report any suspicious activities, and fully cooperate with security personnel, highlighting that effective policing requires strong community partnership. She stated, "We depend on the partnership of the community that we serve."