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Businesswoman Bridgette Motsepe-Radebe says Botswana’s government owes her 68 million pula (about $630,000) in legal costs after a judge cleared her in the infamous “Butterfly Case.”
Motsepe-Radebe, the older sister of mining billionaire and Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe, was named in 2019 claims of a $10 billion money laundering plot linked to former President Ian Khama. The allegations spread before courts later found they were baseless.
The claims were set out in an affidavit by Jako Hubona of Botswana’s Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime, alleging she helped route state funds through offshore and South African accounts and back political efforts against the government.
Botswana’s High Court later ruled the allegations were unlawful, false and reckless. A consent order issued in June 2025 recorded that Motsepe-Radebe dropped a claim for personal damages, but that the state must cover her reasonable legal costs, including fees of two counsel and expenses incurred in clearing her name.
Webber Wentzel, the South Africa-based law firm acting for her, says the government has not complied. It said there has been no substantive explanation for the delay, no outreach to discuss costs and no payment, while interest continues to accrue. A person close to Motsepe-Radebe said she has heard little beyond apology discussions, but has already compiled invoices and receipts for submission.
The firm also says Botswana has moved slowly on court-ordered apologies and retractions. It said required placements in South African media were delayed and that notices in The Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times and on CNN still have not run.
Botswana state attorney Osego Garebamono confirmed talks between the parties’ lawyers on Jan. 29 focused on fees and related expenses. He said the government accepts it must pay reasonable costs and meet other conditions, but described compliance as partial, citing logistical and advertising constraints.
Garebamono said apology advertisements have been booked for publication in February 2026 in South Africa’s Sunday Times newspaper and on the South African Broadcasting Corporation, with other international placements still outstanding.
Attorney General Dick Bayford said the 68 million pula figure has not been legally established because the court order did not set a specific amount. He said the parties are still trying to agree what is reasonable, and the court will decide if they cannot.
Motsepe-Radebe hired London-based Omnia Strategy, led by British barrister Cherie Blair, the wife of former Prime Minister Tony Blair. Omnia and Webber Wentzel produced a 2020 report, “Flies & Lies,” calling the allegations unfounded and a “clumsy hoax.”
Botswana’s finances have tightened amid a downturn in diamond revenue, leaving the government under pressure as the costs dispute drags on.
