Eric Molale: Abuse of Office Arraignment for P1.4B Road Project

• Former Cabinet Minister Eric Molale will be arraigned on October 9th, 2026, facing one count of abuse of office.
• The charge relates to an alleged directive in June 2024 to directly appoint Tau Grading and Building Construction (Pty) Ltd for the P1.4 billion Gantsi-New Xade Road project.
• Molale is the eighth accused person in the broader Tau Grading corruption case, which also implicates former Minister Noah Serikgweri Salakae and several others.
• The Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) argues the direct appointment bypassed required selective procurement, prejudicing other eligible companies.
• The accused collectively face charges including corruption, corrupting a public officer, abuse of office, and money laundering.

The Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) contends that the project explicitly required a selective procurement method, meaning a competitive process should have been followed.

Eric Mothibi Molale, a former Specially Elected Member of Parliament for the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) and a past Cabinet Minister, is scheduled to appear before Broadhurst Regional Magistrate Mareledi Dipate on Friday, October 9th, 2026. He faces a single count of abuse of office, stemming from allegations related to a significant government infrastructure project. Molale, who previously held portfolios including Minister of Transport and Public Works and Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, is expected to apply for and be granted bail during this initial court appearance.

The specific allegation against Molale centers on his tenure as Minister of Transport and Infrastructure in June 2024. According to the charge sheet, he is accused of directing Kgakgamalo Ketshajwang to directly appoint Tau Grading and Building Construction (Pty) Ltd for the construction of the Gantsi-New Xade Road. This government contract was valued at P1,445,754,807.37, highlighting the substantial financial implications of the alleged procurement irregularity. This Eric Molale abuse of office arraignment marks a significant development in ongoing efforts to address corruption within public service.

This particular charge places Molale as the eighth individual implicated in what is known as the Molale Tau Grading corruption case. The broader investigation encompasses a range of serious offenses, including corruption, corrupting a public officer, abuse of office, and money laundering. The collective charges underscore a concerted effort by authorities to tackle alleged misconduct in high-value government contracts.

The Gantsi-New Xade Road project charges are part of a wider investigation that has drawn in several other prominent figures and entities. Among those already accused alongside Molale are Noah Serikgweri Salakae, who also served as a former Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, as well as Tau Grading and Building Construction (Pty) Ltd itself. The list of co-accused further includes Seby Jose, Hugo Lemcke, Christiaan Lemcke, Kgakgamalo Ketshajwang, and Mompati Sepego. All these individuals and the corporate entity are collectively facing a range of charges related to the awarding and execution of the road construction contract.

The Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is leading the prosecution in this complex case. Their central argument against Molale's alleged actions is that the direct appointment of Tau Grading and Building Construction (Pty) Ltd circumvented established procurement protocols. The DPP contends that the project explicitly required a selective procurement method, meaning a competitive process should have been followed. This alleged deviation from standard procedure forms the crux of the abuse of office charge.

The DPP Botswana abuse of office case against Molale and his co-accused highlights a critical focus on upholding integrity within the nation's public procurement system. The prosecution asserts that Molale’s alleged directive prejudiced the rights of other lawfully registered companies. These companies, according to the DPP, were legitimately entitled to compete for government work within the same construction services procurement category, and were denied that opportunity by the alleged direct appointment.

This case signals continued enforcement against Botswana public procurement corruption, particularly concerning direct appointments for government contracts. The involvement of high-ranking former officials in such allegations underscores the government's commitment to scrutinizing how public funds are allocated and ensuring fair and transparent processes. The outcome of the Molale Tau Grading corruption case will likely have significant implications for future public sector contracting practices and accountability measures.

This case signals continued enforcement against corruption in Botswana's public procurement, particularly concerning direct appointments for government contracts. Lawyers advising companies involved in public tenders should review their clients' compliance frameworks to mitigate risks associated with procurement irregularities and potential abuse of office charges for officials.

Source: Original reporting via The Patriot