After six years of high-stakes legal drama, South African businesswoman and philanthropist Bridgette Motsepe has emerged victorious in her battle against the Botswana government, securing a formal apology and international retraction of damaging, false allegations that rocked Southern Africa’s political and business landscape.
The Accusations and the “Butterfly” Case
The saga began in October 2019 when Jako Hubona, an investigator with Botswana’s Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime, filed an affidavit in the High Court. He accused Motsepe of being a co-signatory to secret bank accounts used to launder funds allegedly stolen from the Bank of Botswana, and implicated her in financing terrorism. These explosive claims were linked to the so-called “Butterfly” case, which centered on former intelligence agent Wilhelmina “Butterfly” Maswabi, and also implicated former president Ian Khama and the late Isaac Kgosi, Botswana’s ex-spy chief.
The allegations, which included a staggering $10 billion money-laundering conspiracy, were widely publicized, severely damaging Motsepe’s reputation as a business leader and diplomat. The political undertones were unmistakable, with claims that Motsepe and Khama were involved in a plot to destabilize Botswana ahead of the 2019 elections.
Key Players
-
Bridgette Motsepe: South African businesswoman, philanthropist, and ambassador. Target of the false allegations.
-
Jako Hubona: Botswana government investigator who made the now-discredited claims.
-
Wilhelmina “Butterfly” Maswabi: Former intelligence agent, accused and later cleared.
-
Ian Khama: Former Botswana president, also implicated.
-
Isaac Kgosi: Former spy chief, implicated but passed away before seeing his name cleared.
-
Cherie Blair: Renowned international human rights lawyer, lead counsel for Motsepe.
-
Geoff Budlender SC, Mack Unoda, and Justice Dumisa Ntsebeza: Part of Motsepe’s formidable legal team.
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| October 29, 2019 | Jako Hubona files affidavit alleging Motsepe’s involvement in money laundering. |
| 2019-2021 | Motsepe, Khama, and Maswabi face public scrutiny; Maswabi is imprisoned for 16 months. |
| August 2021 | Botswana judge rules the case against Maswabi was fabricated. |
| October 2024 | Charges against Maswabi are withdrawn; Motsepe and Khama announce plans to sue. |
| February 2025 | DPP advises Motsepe, Khama, and Maswabi to pursue private prosecution if needed. |
| June 27, 2025 | Botswana High Court orders government to apologize and retract allegations. |
The Judgment
On June 27, 2025, the High Court of Botswana, presided over by Justice Kebonang, delivered a decisive judgment. The court ordered the government to issue a formal apology and retraction, to be published for at least seven days on the government’s official website and in major international and local media outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Sunday Times, Mmegi, CNN, and SABC.
The apology explicitly states that the allegations made by Hubona and supported by government bodies were “entirely false and were made recklessly.” The judgment does not include a financial payout; the focus is on public vindication and the restoration of Motsepe’s reputation.
The Fallout and Implications
This judgment is a watershed moment for both Motsepe and Botswana’s justice system. It brings closure to a protracted legal battle that not only threatened Motsepe’s career and diplomatic standing but also exposed the dangers of politically motivated prosecutions and the weaponization of misinformation.
For Motsepe, Khama, Maswabi, and the late Kgosi, the ruling is a full exoneration. For Botswana, it is a test of judicial independence and a reminder of the need for accountability within state institutions. The case has also sparked a broader conversation about the misuse of legal systems in Africa for political ends and the importance of safeguarding the integrity of public figures against baseless attacks.
What’s Next?
While the Botswana government must now publicly apologize, Motsepe’s legal team is continuing with defamation proceedings in South Africa against individuals involved in spreading the falsehoods. The case stands as a powerful precedent for anyone fighting to clear their name in the face of reckless and politically charged defamation.
